TravelMole Time Traveller: Getabed’s Mark Hopper
Getabed.co.uk sales director Mark Hopper is this week's Time Traveller, sponsored by Harp Wallen.
What was your first job in travel?
YTS (Youth Training Scheme) for Thomas Cook in Durham as an innocent 16-year-old
What was the high point of your career?
Being offered my current role as sales director at Getabed. There have been many high points from my travelling to winning awards.
What was the low point?
I’ve had a couple of redundancies in my career. Also one year I spent Christmas Day alone in a far away Austrian ski resort. I was very lonely and it made me decide to make Christmas Day special from then on, being around good friends and family.
What's your biggest regret?
Life’s too short for regrets, but I did once turn down an opportunity to crew a yacht for the winter in the Caribbean to go skiing.
What would you be doing now if you weren't in travel?
Footballer! I played to a decent standard when I was a lot younger, but then girls, motorbikes and Marlboros got in the way.
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 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026