FRONTLINE
CLARE DUDLEY managing director, Ponders Travel, Cambridge
This might sound crazy, but here
goes: have you ever really understood the true meaning and value of a holiday? And do you really get what a holiday means to you as a person? Considering the nature of our job, you would be forgiven for instantly answering, “Of course I do!” But I have to say that prior to my recent holiday in Asia, I had started to forget just how important it is to take a proper break. I realise now that I was consumed by the business, and the business had been consuming me. The thought of taking a holiday, or any form of time away from work, all felt too much because it has been so busy and I had almost shelved the idea completely. As a business owner I believed I had to be here night and day, giving it my all, for us to succeed. The excessive workload wasn’t the only barrier to me taking a proper holiday, though; the constant negativity made it seem less appealing than before. A combination of Covid, airport queues, delays and everything else meant I was all too happy to carry on working and, ironically, forget about doing the thing I actively sell to people on a daily basis.
ADMIT MY ERROR But I can’t begin to tell you how wrong I was, or how much good my holiday did me. I appreciate that
28 20 OCTOBER 2022 AGENT
My trip to Asia has shown me how we need to remind customers of the
value of a total break
now, more than ever, a holiday is truly essential for all of us. Did my business suffer when I was away, as I feared it might? Not at all. The break, which saw me visit Singapore and Elephant Hills in Thailand before staying in a treehouse in Koh Yoa, gave me time to relax and rejuvenate, leaving me with newfound energy and drive for when I returned.
I found that I enjoyed meeting new people on holiday more than I ever have, I found the places I visited more interesting, and I fully immersed myself in the culture. Not only that, but the flora seemed more colourful and scented, and
the animals I encountered seemed somehow cuter and more ‘tropical’. Every element of my holiday felt
extra special. As each day passed, I realised just how much I had needed the break and how much I adore travelling.
PAINT A PICTURE I chatted to many other travellers and was mesmerised by their stories. I discovered that everyone has their own Covid journey or story. Working in travel, I selfishly felt like we’d had the worst deal, but although what we went through was undoubtedly awful, others I met have been through worse: the A&E consultant, the hotel cook, the bus driver... This trip got me thinking that if a holiday felt like hard work and I couldn’t do it, then most of our customers must be thinking the same. Therefore, we must make sure that we remind them just how amazing taking a trip away really is. We need to paint a picture, sell them the dream and encourage them to take a well-needed break. If you think your business can’t do without you while you take a holiday, like I previously did, then please think again. I think the business will actually benefit – and so will you.
SHOWING OFF ADDS VALUE
When you’re on a holiday, don’t forget to make sure your social media is full of great content, showing off where you are and the amazing things you are seeing and doing. Short videos are really worthwhile, and photos of some of your experiences to share with clients when you return are worth so much. And when it comes to sharing your photographs and videos, don’t forget to also give your customers an example of your holiday and the prices. This will provide an opportunity to sell the same trip to your clients,
rather than just wow them with your experience. If you do this it makes your holiday even more worthwhile than it already was!
Share the experience
travelweekly.co.uk
SharonDavid Kim Colin Helen diary diary
Sharon David Kim Colin Helen
Clare
Clare
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