Episodes

  • Episode 14: Term-Time Travel, Triple A’s & Tales of Luxury Clients

    Episode 14: Term-Time Travel, Triple A’s & Tales of Luxury Clients
    Jul 7 2025

    We're back and buzzing – Becky’s off to the Triple A’s as a finalist (no big deal 👀) and we’re talking all things travel agent life, awards night glam, and... the absolute daylight robbery that is school holiday pricing. Seriously, why is it double the price to go skiing just because it's February half term?! We dive into the parent struggle of deciding whether to take the fine or fork out thousands more for a family holiday – and whether schools should be a bit more chill if the kids are off learning about the world on a tour of Sri Lanka.


    Then we get into the age-old travel agent dilemma: high value, low volume vs. low value, high volume. Which clients are more work? Which ones are worth the drama? Spoiler: the £299 all-inclusives are not always as “easy” as they seem. We also chat about what a luxury client really looks like – and no, it’s not always the one with the Gucci belt.

    And because we love a challenge, Jake’s back on the airport code game – with a score to beat and Becky out for redemption.


    Plus, we tease something a little different for next week’s episode… 👀 so hit follow and stay tuned!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    38 mins
  • Episode 13: Cruise confessions, consultation fees & getting chased by the police

    Episode 13: Cruise confessions, consultation fees & getting chased by the police
    Jun 30 2025

    In this episode, Becky and Jake get fired up about the growing trend of hotels undercutting travel agents with direct booking offers — and share their frustrations about losing loyal clients to cheeky 30% discounts. They dive deep into the ongoing debate around consultation fees: should travel agents be charging for their time, and if so, how do you actually make it work without scaring off clients?


    There’s also a big conversation about protection — ATOL, ABTA, and why clients still don’t get what it all really means (even though it could save them thousands). Jake breaks down a £15k booking gone right, and Becky shares her take on marketing the value of booking with a pro.


    They also tackle some cruise misconceptions, especially about Fred Olsen (is it really a waiting room at sea?), why more agents should be selling expedition trips, and how LinkedIn is an untapped goldmine for luxury enquiries.


    Oh — and as if that wasn’t enough — Becky tells the story of the time she almost got arrested on a jet ski in Boston with two Mexican friends. Sirens, megaphones, and a very confused river police officer included.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    49 mins
  • Episode 12 – "Suits, Seats & Silent Discos"

    Episode 12 – "Suits, Seats & Silent Discos"
    Jun 23 2025

    In this no-holds-barred episode of Tales of a Travel Agent, Jake and Becky are back with a hilarious and heartfelt deep dive into all things travel—from awkward uniforms and stand-up airplane seating to the unexpected perks of networking.


    Jake vents about the outdated world of travel agent dress codes while sweating over a 30-degree day at Ascot. Becky recounts a whirlwind eight days involving a trip to Iceland (with a silent disco and mocktail in hand), a fitness expo, and a hilariously tragic tollgate error. They get real about missed flight connections, customer complaints, and why geography might not be their strong suit after all.


    But it’s not all laughs, Becky shares her powerful story of working with a grassroots education and period poverty project in Tanzania, reminding us of the true impact of travel when it's used for good.


    Expect banter, honest confessions, brilliant networking tips, and some serious inspiration - Listener discretion advised, this one’s full of strong opinions and stronger laughs.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    40 mins
  • Episode 11: Pride, Pressure & Payback

    Episode 11: Pride, Pressure & Payback
    Jun 16 2025
    In this powerful episode of Tales of a Travel Agent, we open up about the realities of working from home in the travel industry and the impact it can have on mental health. From feelings of isolation to setting boundaries between work and life, we share honest insights and advice for looking after yourself when you’re flying solo. Jake finally gets his sweet revenge on Becky after last week’s airport code quiz disaster, and we round off by celebrating Pride Month — diving into the importance of LGBTQIA+ friendly holidays and why there’s still a long way to go in making travel truly inclusive. Whether you're an agent or just love travel, this one's packed with heart, humour, and a little healthy payback!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    47 mins
  • Episode 10: Code Cracked: Airport Quizzes, Travel Industry Gaps & Our Latest Adventures

    Episode 10: Code Cracked: Airport Quizzes, Travel Industry Gaps & Our Latest Adventures
    Jun 9 2025
    In Episode 10 of Tales of a Travel Agent, Becky puts Jake to the test with a fun (and surprisingly tricky) airport code quiz—how many can he really get right? We also dive into a more serious conversation about the lack of accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities in the travel industry, discussing where the sector is falling short and what needs to change. Plus, we share stories from some of the recent destinations we've visited and loved. Expect laughs, honest chat, and plenty of travel inspo!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    37 mins
  • Episode 9 : Hacks, Trolls & Space Popstars

    Episode 9 : Hacks, Trolls & Space Popstars
    Jun 2 2025
    In Episode 9 of Tales of a Travel Agent, we’re blasting off into the world of social media hacks, cyber safety, and intergalactic popstars. Jake shares a game-changing Facebook trick that's skyrocketed his engagement – and no, it doesn’t involve dancing. We chat about the importance of cyber security in travel, how Katy Perry’s space flight has us howling, and unleash a passionate rant about why travel agents really need to stop tearing each other down. It's a spicy mix of tips, laughs, and truth bombs you won’t want to miss!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    48 mins
  • Episode 8: Catch-Ups, Chaos & Creating Urgency

    Episode 8: Catch-Ups, Chaos & Creating Urgency
    May 26 2025
    It’s been a while… so in this episode, Jake and Becky catch up on everything and anything! From recent travels to hilarious stories, it's a relaxed (and slightly chaotic) chat full of laughs. We dive into the importance of the ‘lates’ period in the travel industry and share our top tips for creating urgency with clients. Plus, we hit a major milestone – 1,000 listeners! Join us for the banter, the insights, and the celebrations.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    41 mins
  • Episode 7: Mountains, Mishaps & Missing Ramps

    Episode 7: Mountains, Mishaps & Missing Ramps
    May 19 2025
    This week, we dive into the highs and lows of adventure travel—from scaling mountains to navigating hotel room nightmares. Becky shares her incredible story of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, while Jake vents about the ongoing struggle of finding accessible and genuinely disabled-friendly accommodation. Expect laughs, frustration, and inspiration in equal measure as we explore the challenges and triumphs of travelling off the beaten path.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    35 mins