This week marks 20 years as a Personal Travel Manager, and almost 30 years in the travel industry.

It feels like a good time to pause and reflect on the journey and the changes I’ve seen, the lessons I’ve learnt, and what it really means to be a great Personal Travel Manager for my clients.

In those years, I’ve experienced some pretty significant moments in our industry,  from the collapse of Ansett, 9/11, the GFC and, of course, Covid. There have been plenty of challenges along the way, but I’m still here, still learning and, most importantly, still loving what I do.

Over the years, I’ve learnt a lot about the travel industry, but perhaps more importantly, I’ve learnt what it takes to be a great Personal Travel Manager.

Connection

I don’t believe being a great travel advisor is about knowing everything.

I believe it’s about knowing where to look, who to ask and how to find the right answer.

For me, connection is at the heart of this.

My clients and their travels are not simply another job to be completed. It’s about understanding what the journey ultimately means to them.

For some, it might be visiting family. For others, it could be ticking off a bucket-list dream, seeing a particular place they’ve always wanted to experience, or simply having precious time together as a family.

Every trip is personally curated around what matters to that individual client.

And after all this time, I am still  looking after my very first client, Bronwen. Her travels have changed enormously over the years, but the essential elements remain the same — understanding what she wants from her travels and creating experiences that are meaningful to her.

But connection doesn’t stop with my clients.

To be great at what I do, I also need strong connections with my suppliers,  hotels, tour companies, cruise lines, local operators and the people on the ground who help bring a journey to life.

Building these relationships allows me to offer my clients an elevated experience. Sometimes that might mean recognition on arrival, a special welcome gift or access to something they may not otherwise have experienced.

And while it might sometimes look like I travel a lot, it isn’t all for fun! Much of my travel is about seeking out new places, meeting the people behind the experiences and building the relationships that ultimately benefit my clients.

Then there are my colleagues.

Over the years, I’ve built a wonderful group of friends and fellow travel professionals,  affectionately known as the “Brains Trust.” We share knowledge, ideas, experiences and, often, a solution to a tricky travel puzzle. We genuinely want to see each other succeed, and that connection is incredibly valuable.

Passion & Purpose

My passion is easy to explain – travel.

I have a very long list of places I want to visit and experiences I want to have. In fact, as soon as I return from one trip, I’m usually already planning the next one  or two!

But my purpose goes a little deeper.

I want people to see that travel can make the world a better place.

The more we travel, the more we understand and appreciate the differences between us, other cultures and the way people live around the world.

I believe slow travel plays an important part in this. Staying longer, going beyond the obvious sights and experiencing a destination more like a local allows us to develop a much deeper connection with the places we visit.

Tourism is also incredibly important to many destinations and communities.

By encouraging my clients to look beyond the traditional tourist path, I believe we can help communities thrive. Choosing hotels and resorts that employ local people, touring companies that use local guides, or experiences that support community projects can all help ensure that tourism has a positive impact on the people and places we visit.

20 Years On

So, 20 years on as a Personal Travel Manager  and almost 30 years in travel, what have I learnt?

That it’s about connection, passion and purpose.

It’s about listening to my clients, understanding what matters to them, knowing where to look for the right experiences, and utilising the relationships I’ve built along the way to create something truly personal.

And most importantly?

I still love what I do.

Here’s to the next chapter of connecting, exploring and sharing my passion and purpose with my clients.

And perhaps your next journey will be part of that chapter.

If you have a trip you’ve been dreaming about, a destination on your bucket list, or simply want to travel a little differently, I’d love to help you turn the idea into a journey that is truly yours.

Ready to start planning your next adventure?

Visit my website for more information and contact details, and let’s start planning.