FRONTLINE
Helen Parry director, Arundel Travel, Otley, West Yorkshire
And just like that, the first month of peaks
is behind us. It’s been such a different experience for me this year. Although I’ve taken on a new teaching role at Leeds City College, the shop is always at the heart of everything I do. I’ve been balancing both roles, and I’ve loved finding ways to stay closely connected with the team and our customers.
Am I missing being on the shop floor full-time? Absolutely. There’s nothing quite like the buzz of peaks. The steady hum of the door swinging open, the quick lunches you barely get to finish, and the cups of coffee that are always just a bit too cold by the time you drink them. It’s when the shop truly comes alive, and the team gets to shine. Their resilience, stamina and camaraderie are on full display – it’s genuinely inspiring to watch them pull together as one.
BACK TO MY ROOTS That’s why I’ve made sure I still have my place in the shop by becoming the ‘Saturday Girl’ – and I absolutely love it! It’s funny really, because in the whirlwind of managing things behind the scenes, I’d somehow forgotten the joy that led me to open the shop in the first place: helping customers plan their dream holidays, sharing my stories and inspiring people to explore the world. Being back on the shop floor, even just one day a week, has felt like rediscovering a superpower.
22 30 JANUARY 2025 AGENT There’s nothing
quite like the buzz of peaks – the shop truly comes alive and the team gets to shine
Peaks this year has been quite
different for the shop too. After a strong finish to 2024, we were a bit nervous heading into January, and when the Yorkshire snow arrived our hearts were in our mouths. The weather definitely affected bookings and, of course, a few people turned to the internet for that instant fix of sunshine. We can’t win them all. And yes, agents undercutting each other still happens – it’s disappointing but nothing new. However, we know the real competition isn’t other agents or tour operators – it’s the DIY holiday market. Many people have forgotten the protection that comes
with booking a package holiday, especially as the disruptions of Covid, delays and cancellations fade into memory.
DIVERSE OFFERING That’s why our focus is on showing our customers just how much we can do. Over the past year, we’ve worked hard to highlight the diversity of holidays we offer. The opening of the Long-Haul Lounge has been a game changer, bringing in inspiring bookings. Rail holidays are on the rise, multi-centre adventures are hugely popular and island-hopping is a real hit. The challenge for us now is maintaining that balance between the excitement of bespoke adventures and the reliability of traditional package holidays. As we look ahead, I feel so
proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team and excited for all that’s still to come. Every day brings a new opportunity, and this team is one that never stops learning, growing and adapting. Peaks has reminded me of the power of staying connected to what you love most, whether that’s helping customers, inspiring adventures or simply being part of an amazing team. So, here’s to making 2025 our best year yet – one dream holiday at a time!
SHORT-STAFFED? HIRE EDUCATION
I know from talking to friends and colleagues that filling vacant positions hasn’t been
plain sailing. Finding the perfect person can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but I have a tip: don’t forget about your local colleges. The travel, tourism and aviation teams there work hard to prepare the next generation of talent.
The students are brilliant: full of enthusiasm, buzzing with ideas and eager to learn. Whether they want full-time work or a part-time role to fit around their studies, their energy and passion is infectious. The teachers know the students inside out too, and can make brilliant recommendations.
Finding good recruits doesn’t have to be daunting
travelweekly.co.uk
Clare SharonAndreaJenniferColin Clare SharonAndreaJenniferColin diary diary
Helen
Helen
PICTURE: Shutterstock/Billion Photos
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
