FRONTLINE
CLARE DUDLEY managing director, Ponders Travel, Cambridge
It’s not all about me. Over the course of
40 years in travel, I’ve learnt that give and take is one of the most valuable principles to live by. I never take for granted who I can learn from – or what I learn. But, equally, I’ve come to appreciate that others might
learn the odd thing from me too. OMiles Morgan, from my Bakers Dolphin days, taught me positivity and the value of thinking outside
the box. OSteve Williams, former managing director of Fred Olsen Travel, believed in me and encouraged me to take a leap of faith – his support is the reason I
started my own business. O Mundy Cruising managing director Edwina Lonsdale, someone I’ve long admired for her professionalism and grace, showed me that courtesy and fun can – and
should – go hand in hand. O Former Uniworld managing director Kathryn Beadle has been a beacon of warmth, business
insight and guidance. OBridget Keevil, owner of Travel Stop, inspired me to believe in the dream of opening a shop in a village – proof you don’t need a busy high
street to build something special. O And then there’s my team. Their trust in me gives me strength and affirms that the decisions we make are the right ones. This journey has never been mine alone – and for that I am endlessly grateful.
24 3 JULY 2025 AGENT
Thinking of those who have inspired me over the years reminds me that we can all learn from each other
ALWAYS LEARNING I often wonder if many of you feel the same as I do – that in travel, there’s always something new to learn. Just the other week at a Tipto training event, I discovered a new cruise itinerary around Corsica with CroisiEurope. The next day I called a client and told them all about this and they now want to book. Another lesson from the training was that car hire, excursions, parking and pre and post-stays and other extras aren’t just add-ons – they’re part of creating a seamless, memorable experience. Yes, I already knew this in
theory, but the training gave me a
travelweekly.co.uk
fresh perspective. It reinforced how vital it is to consistently offer those much-needed ancillaries as part of every client’s booking.
PAY IT FORWARD While I’m constantly learning in this ever-changing industry, I am equally reminded how often we have the chance to teach and inspire others. Recently, a friend of mine in
the travel industry, who had lost a little confidence, reached out for some ideas to help boost their sales. We talked through a few holiday concepts that have been working well for us, and it sparked something. Now they are planning their own escorted holiday using a product that had always been successful for them, though recently harder to sell. Watch this space – I have a strong feeling this could be the beginning of something really exciting for them.
If you believe that we should
always treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves, then follow my guidance on sharing your ideas, because this could lead to new ideas coming your way too. I feel it is so important to have buddies in the trade and for us all to help each other. So, to all my travel friends who have helped me over the years, thank you so much.
WINNING HEARTS AND MINDS
I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be teaming up with Travel Weekly on a huge mission: getting as many travel agents CPR trained across the UK as possible. This challenge is all about what matters most – learning, sharing and caring. It’s a powerful opportunity for our community to come together and truly make a life-saving difference. I will be
officially launching the initiative at Travel Weekly’s Agent Achievement Awards next Thursday (July 10), and I hope that it marks the beginning of something truly special. Watch this space – this could be your moment to step up and help save lives. Let’s do this together.
Users of the GoodSAM responder app can save lives
SharonAndreaJenniferColin Helen diary diary
SharonAndreaJenniferColin Helen
Clare
Clare
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