PR blogger reveals the curse of the travel professional
It’s that time of year again, when travel professionals across the UK break out in a cold sweat at the thought of BOOKING THEIR OWN HOLIDAY.
The truth is we are victims of our own good fortune. Like me, you may have spent years benefiting from tour operator concessions. If so, my friend, you are damaged goods.
You may lust after infinity pools in five star hotels but can you actually bring yourself to part with more than about thirty quid to pay for them? No, you cannot. And you never again will, regardless of whether or not you can afford it.
Then there is the curse of the product manager. If you are actually offered a thirty quid deal on the beautiful hotel with the infinity pool, you suddenly don’t want to go there anymore in case you have to spend a fortnight eating seafood banquets with the GM and discussing APD.
Add to this the fact that your entire family believes you to be a global holiday expert on everything from playing golf in the Algarve to trekking through Malawi (even if you work in accounts for the Trainline.com), and the pressure can become quite overwhelming.
I hate it. It is always left to me and it’s never simple.
The main problem is where to go. There’s just too much choice, which makes it really difficult to say "Let’s go to Turkey again." You can’t just go to Turkey again’, even if you had so much fun there last year you nearly emigrated. You work in Travel. You can’t let down the entire industry by staying at the same Antalyan apartment complex year after year. Don’t be selfish.
Not for you the stress-free package with convenient transfers and an award-winning kids’ club. Oh no. You have to stride out. Explore new territories. See new things. Immerse yourself in new cultures. It is expected of you and you will be tested on it at dinner parties. Or at some awards ceremony or other.
I think I might go to Scotland this summer. At least people will just think I’m a bit quirky. It’s looking quite pricey though. Now, let me think. Do I know anyone who can get me a deal…?
Helena Beard is managing director of KBC PR & Marketing, a PR, representation and marketing agency specialising in travel and tourism.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports