When I was asked if I would like to contribute a travel themed feature for Your Business and You, I jumped at the chance. ‘Of course,’ I replied ‘Let’s look back at all the wonderful itineraries I have created over the past 12 months and draw inspiration’. WAIT, I don’t have any do I, Covid-19 has a lot to answer for!
A little about me
So, I thought I would start with a little bit about me. I was raised in my family-owned hotel in a seaside town in North Yorkshire, back in the day when people used to book a 2-week holiday in Scarborough. Working the restaurant at an early age, I learned the importance of customer service and I have carried that over throughout my career. From the heady heights of the 5* Park Lane Hotel in London to Event Management in Sheffield before entering the Corporate Travel world at McCain Foods. Now I own a successful travel franchise. My working life has always revolved around hospitality, travel and customer service.
Ticking off my bucket list
Travel always fascinated me, I even remember going on a cruise to Madeira when I was about 3. As a family we used to go to Majorca every year, always stayed at the same hotel in Cala Millor. My parents were definitely creatures of habit!
When I was 12, I felt very lucky to enjoy a holiday in Barbados with Mum & Dad. They left my brother and sister at home, what a result! Since then, I have travelled worldwide. From San Francisco in the West to Koh Samui in the East. From Nordkapp in the North to Cape Town in the South. I still have a LOT left on my bucket list to get through though.
Create the vibe, feel the effect
Don’t you find that half the holiday vibe is in the planning? Once those flights and hotel are booked, the expectancy and the build-up of happy hormones start to reach a fever pitch until you finally find yourself sipping bubbles in the airport lounge and RELAXING. Whether you are looking forward to a city break, ski holiday, road trip, cruise or fly ‘n’ flop we start to realise why we work – we NEED our Vitamin SEA! It has been proven that taking a holiday can improve your overall well-being, blood pressure and immune system, improve your sleep pattern and increase dopamine levels ensuring you arrive back home relaxed and rejuvenated.
What are your travel plans?
The world has certainly changed – for the better some might say? Travel will return albeit in a different way. It might take years for business travel to recover and return to pre-pandemic levels. In the UK, there is an unquestionable pent-up demand for leisure travel. Desperate to see something other than four walls, the travel industry will hopefully explode out of the starting gates as soon as we get the green light to travel.
Will you be one of those willing to explore the world or are you happy enough investigating the wilds of Scotland, the secret coves in Cornwall or our amazing Lake District? If we are unable to travel overseas, then my happy place is Northumberland – more specifically Embleton Beach, The Jolly Fisherman at Craster and The Ship at Low Newton – can you see a boozy theme here? I believe we do all need that break, that experience, that moment especially after a very uncertain and stressful 12 months.
Whatever you do, I hope your happy hormones fill your being from head to foot and you find an attitude of gratitude in your travels.
I will be sharing some great ideas to help you plan over the coming months.
