FRONTLINE
CLARE DUDLEY managing director, Ponders Travel, Cambridge
In July, I was kindly given a speaking
spot at the Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards to talk about a mission I’m currently on: I want to get to a position where one person in every single travel agency across the UK is trained to give CPR. As some of you may know, it’s is an ambition I’ve developed since my husband suffered two heart attacks. This spurred me to learn how to give CPR and encourage others to do the same. I’d like to use this opportunity to say a massive thank you to every single one of you who has reached out and said you will be doing the training, as well as to those of you who have said you will be looking to raise funds for more defibrillators. At first, I thought the idea was quite a tall order. But as each day has gone by, and with all the support I am getting from you all, I think my mission is going to be more realisable than I ever dared to dream, highlighting the amazing spirit of the travel sector. I am extremely grateful that I
have already heard from so many of you and that your teams have already done the quick training. I would like to say thank you in particular to Hays Travel, Fred Olsen Travel, Premier Travel, the Advantage Travel Partnership, The Travel Village, APT Touring, Miles Morgan Travel, AmaWaterways and Sunlounger Travel.
26 4 SEPTEMBER 2025 AGENT
It’s heartening to see how willingly the travel community has
responded to my drive for CPR training
GOOD REP-UTATIONS In other news, has anyone else noticed how the standard of tour operator reps just keeps climbing? It’s been remarkable to witness the standard of training we’ve received recently. I have to say, we’ve been genuinely blown away. Over the past few months, a few
reps have delivered sessions that were nothing short of inspirational. Their depth of knowledge and their passion for the brands and destinations they represent have left a lasting impression on our team. Travel is an ever-evolving
industry with new destinations, experiences and styles of holiday
travelweekly.co.uk
emerging all the time. It’s a sector where we truly learn something new every single day. That’s why training, paired with strong communication and the right tools, is absolutely essential. I’d like to take a moment to
congratulate those responsible for discovering and nurturing such exceptional talent. Whether it’s fresh faces bringing new energy or experienced professionals stepping into new roles, the impact they’re making is clear and is worthy of praise. Three standout individuals
deserve a special mention in particular: Julia from Latin Routes, Chloe from Anzcro and Danielle from Lindblad Expeditions. Each of these ladies delivered
presentations that were informative and captivating, speaking confidently without notes for more than 45 minutes, with a level of insight that’s rarely seen. They brought their destinations and product to life in such a vivid way that we found ourselves constantly saying, ‘I didn’t know that!’ or, ‘That’s new – I didn’t realise you could go there!’ We’d welcome them back for
further training any time. We enjoy learning every day, and learning from passionate professionals like these is a real pleasure.
PROFESSIONALISM DESERVES PRAISE
I also want to give a huge shout-out to the entire Oceania Cruises team – a group that has absolutely nailed it.
Congratulations to Paul and Louise for leading a sales team that is focused, driven, kind and deeply dedicated. During the Oceania Allura agent shakedown cruise in July, their professionalism, warmth and energy were evident from early morning to well past midnight. Their commitment was visible and not once did I hear a negative word. What’s more, the follow-up since the event has been exceptional – every point discussed on board has been actioned and the team remains laser-focused on driving sales.
Their consistency and dedication have been truly refreshing.
Oceania Allura
SharonAndreaJenniferColin Helen SharonAndreaJenniferColin Helen diary diary
Clare
Clare
PICTURE: Sarah Lucy Brown
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