Latest news with #traveladvisor
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I'm a travel agent and I'm often asked an odd question about toilet paper
Preparing for a trip can often be stressful, particularly if its to a foreign country or one you've never been to before. For this reason, holidaymakers are often making sure they've planned for all eventualities by double-checking any queries with their travel agent. And Liz Stanway, a travel advisor for Sykes Holiday Cottages, has exclusively revealed some of the oddest questions she's been asked throughout her career. One of the strangest, she tells us, is: 'Do I need to bring my own toilet roll, or is that included?' She adds: 'This one comes up a lot as people often worry that when they reach their holiday home, they might be caught short. 'We also get a surprising number of questions about gravy boats at Christmas. 'In general, we find owners tend to provide the first roll per loo in their property, then it is usually supply the rest yourself. 'The same principal applies to items like dishwasher tablets.' Another common question Liz is often asked is: 'If it rains all week, do I get a refund?' She explains: 'The UK is famous for its unpredictable weather but that's not always accepted as part of the charm of a staycation, and we've had guests ask if they will receive a refund if it rains during their trip. 'We've also had others request their money back after finding it was going to be too hot during their getaway.' Pets are considered just like family, and some owners want to take their furry companion on holiday too, meaning Liz often hears: 'Can I bring my cat with me?' She adds: 'Most of Sykes' 22,500 holiday homes are advertised at pet-friendly and the vast majority of customers interpret this as dog-friendly, bringing their pooches away with them. 'However, requests to bring cats are surprisingly incredibly common, but it doesn't stop there - we've had people wanting to bring their caged birds, reptiles, and even rats on holiday with them. 'For those who do want to bring a more exotic pet on a staycation, they'll need to request permission from the property's owner.' Sometimes an uncomfortable bed can put a damper on an entire holiday, and for Liz, she's been quizzed before by customers who ask: 'I'm tall – how long is the bed?' The expert says: 'People often ask about bed lengths, especially for single beds or bunks, to avoid a week of cramped toes or diagonal sleeping. 'And it's not just about the beds. Some taller holidaymakers want to know about doorframe heights and shower cubicle clearance – there is nothing worse than hitting your head or having an uncomfortable night's sleep!' Staying on the subject of beds, Liz has even been asked about linen quality by guests, including on the thread count of sheets as well as duvet togs. But for Liz, one of her most memorable questions to date was: 'Are the cows nearby noisy?' She amusingly says: 'We're used to questions about traffic noise, but farm animal disturbances were a new one. 'But, to be fair, for city dwellers swapping sirens for mooing, the rural soundscape can be an unexpected adjustment. 'It's one of those questions that stays with you. Not just for its originality, but for showing us that peace and quiet means different things to different people.'
TTG
07-05-2025
- Business
- TTG
Luxury advisor reveals why he's 'not afraid' of amateur agents
An elite travel specialist has revealed why untrained agents are no threat to his business, after recently being named on one of the industry's best advisors. Alex Lavender joined the sector six years ago, establishing Seven Icons Luxury Travel after previously working in commercial football sales. Since then, he has built a thriving agency, specialising in leisure bookings that can reach the £350k mark. In 2024, he was named one of the Conde Nast Traveler 2025 Top Travel Specialists, after wowing judges with his round-the-clock commitment to his clients. Lavender, who is the son of industry veteran Roy Collett, openly accepts that his family name has given him an advantage in his travel career. 'There's no reason to not show some humility – I've learned a lot from my father, and he has given me some big clients,' he says. Lavender emphasises, however, that even with Collett's mentorship, his journey to becoming a successful travel advisor hasn't been instantaneous. 'Anybody can make a hotel or flight booking, but only an experienced travel agent can solve the real issues that arise during a client's trip' 'This job is second nature for me now, but it took me a long time to learn it,' he explains. 'Anybody can make a hotel or flight booking, but only an experienced travel agent can solve the real issues that arise during a client's trip.' He credits his membership in Global Travel Collection, the world's largest group of luxury travel agencies, as integral to providing his clients with this premium level of service. The exclusive network offers its 1,700 agents a database of more than 30,000 suppliers, including hotels, resorts and transportation providers, as well as a personally assigned account manager. Its recent partnership with Ten Lifestyle Group has further benefited members, allowing them to access the VIP concierge service to optimise their clients' travel experiences.
