Tales of a Travel Agent

In this jam-packed episode, Jake and Becky dive into the world of ski holidays — from beginner-friendly slopes to luxury resorts, insider tips on selling ski packages, and why travel agents shouldn’t be afraid of the jargon. They also discuss the rise of niche travel markets, including a fascinating listener email from a U.S. agent helping plus-size travellers navigate cruises, theme parks, and the “will I even fit?” moments of travel.But that’s not all — things get competitive as Jake takes on Becky’s ultimate travel numbers quiz. Expect plenty of wrong answers, unexpected facts, and a lot of laughs as they tackle questions about world time zones, UNESCO heritage sites, the Eiffel Tower, and more.If you love travel industry insights, funny stories, and a bit of chaos, this one’s for you.🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to send your stories to talesofatravelagent@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tales of a Travel Agent, Jake and Becky are back with a jam-packed catch-up full of cruise adventures, fam trip chaos, and hilarious industry stories. Becky shares tales from her luxurious Windstar yacht experience, complete with endless food, cliff jumping, and a passport mishap, while Jake reflects on his villa getaway and why he’s officially “done” with all-inclusive resorts.They also dive into the ripple effect of fam trips, strange customer requests (including an Australia booking without flying), the rise of small-ship cruising, upcoming award nominations, and why event prize draws aren’t always as glamorous as they seem. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Becky and Jake are joined by their very first guest — Lorna Willis Edwards from TIPTO! 🎉 Get ready for a jam-packed episode as Lorna shares her 29-year journey in the travel industry, spills insider secrets about planning epic events, and reveals the wildest requests she’s ever had (yes, someone really only eats chips and bread!).From hotel horror stories and tips for networking to what really happens when travel agents get too drunk at events, this episode is full of laughs, lessons, and behind-the-scenes gossip from the world of travel. Plus, Becky tests Lorna with a TIPTO-themed quiz — and let’s just say… the results are hilarious.Whether you're a travel agent, an industry insider, or just here for the chaos, you don’t want to miss this one! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode of Tales of a Travel Agent, Jake and Becky dive into wild travel tales, bizarre customer requests, and incredible adventures around the world. Becky shares her authentic trekking experience with the Hmong people in Vietnam’s Sapa Mountains, spills the secrets behind Tanzania’s Maasai tribes, and gives her review of the jaw-dropping book The White Masai.Plus, the Fake News game returns! From a family demanding guaranteed snow in Lapland in July to a traveller complaining the sea was “too salty”, Jake and Becky sort through the weird, the wonderful, and the downright ridiculous of the travel world.✈️ Expect laughs, travel tips, and a few “did they really just say that?!” moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we dive into everything from manifestation myths and goal setting to ridiculous client requests (yes, someone really complained about too much sea mist 🫠). Jake shares his full journey into the travel industry — from his early Thomas Cook days to becoming CEO of The Good Travel Agent — and Becky has plenty to say about Below Deck, dating apps for travel pros, and customers who want Wimbledon moved “to next month.”Expect laughs, rants, and a few behind-the-scenes travel secrets you won’t hear anywhere else! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Becky and Jake dive into one of the biggest questions for new travel agents—should you have a niche from the start, or keep things broad? They share their top do’s and don’ts for beginners, debate the role of social media and referrals, and give honest advice on building confidence in the industry. Plus, listener questions spark some lively discussion, Becky reveals her wrecking-ball bar story, Jake suffers through a cruise line quiz, and the pair rant about disorganized supplier events. Expect laughs, chaos, and a few lessons along the way! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been a week of pure travel mayhem, and Jake and Becky are here to unpack it all. From chasing down a last-minute villa request for a Monday departure, rescuing stranded holidaymakers after an airport shutdown, and juggling urgent seat bookings from the side of the road, to frantically packing for cruises and family getaways – it’s peak travel agent chaos.But that’s not all. The pair dive into the smart (and sneaky) ways to post deals on social media without giving customers everything they need to book elsewhere, share clever hacks to make yourself look like the ultimate travel expert, and reminisce about the good old “mystery hotel” days. Along the way, they trade hilarious and shocking industry stories – including a plane flying to the wrong island, bizarre airport security checks, and the absurdity of checking in a 151-year-old passenger.Of course, no episode would be complete without TV talk: Destination X, Tempting Fortunes, The Traitors, Fortune Hotel, and more – plus a sprinkle of travel marketing gold inspired by viral internet moments. It’s unpredictable, jam-packed, and unapologetically Jake and Becky at their best. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is an unfiltered rollercoaster—from deep chats to laugh-out-loud chaos, Jake and Becky cover it all. Kicking off with a candid talk about mental health and why a flat tyre doesn't mean a bad day, things quickly veer into darkly hilarious territory when Becky reveals Jake is now listed in her "death document." (Yep, really.)As always, the duo dig into the wild world of travel. Becky shares how she accidentally recruited a new travel agent for Jake’s franchise, while they both dive into the dos and don’ts of joining a travel agency—covering commission splits, hidden fees, support structures, and whether or not you can work from abroad.There's also talk of viral marketing genius (Jet2, we're looking at you), a Ryanair shoutout (again), and the eternal curse of being on hold with customer service. Jake spills what it was like giving a travel careers talk at a secondary school and gets roasted by a Year 7 with the now-iconic line: “What in the David Attenborough?!”As the conversation devolves (in the best possible way), they tackle stag and hen dos, why “taster cruises” aren’t really tasters, and the strange things that suppliers make you do to actually claim your incentives.And finally, a listener submits the ultimate unbelievable-but-true customer name combo: Mr. Curry and Ms. Rice.Buckle up—this one’s messy, morbid, insightful, and hilarious in equal measure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s episode is a wild ride through the highs and lows of travel life — from red carpet recognition to flat tyres and collapsing wardrobes. Becky kicks things off with the full, unfiltered story of how she took home a prestigious CLIA Master Award (yes, she’s now officially award-winning), complete with a surprise announcement, hair commentary from strangers, and a near miss with a gravy-soaked trophy. Jake dishes on what it was like witnessing the moment, and how Becky accidentally became the Lara Croft of travel.We dive deep into the chaos of awards nights — six-hour ceremonies, slightly disappointing celebrity acts, candle wax disasters, and yes, someone actually straddled Ashley Banjo. Becky gets serenaded by singing waiters at a Tipto event, and the duo campaign to ban cruise ship magicians in favour of mentalists.But it’s not all glitz and glamour — Becky’s post-awards week has been pure disaster: flat tyres, car breakdowns on roundabouts, tow trucks at 1am, and a wardrobe that literally fell off the wall. Meanwhile, Jake reintroduces us to the timeless brilliance of Benidorm, and both hosts rant about the sheer audacity of some recent customer requests — including someone wanting to cruise to Japan from Southampton with a three-week holiday allowance.They also call out travel agents who no-show on fam trips, remind everyone that visas require real passport numbers (shocking, we know), and celebrate the rise of listeners recognising Becky just by her voice.It’s unfiltered, funny, full of travel truths, and proof that even award-winning travel agents still deal with chaos.💌 Got a tale, rant, or ridiculous customer request? Send it to: talesofatravelagent@gmail.com 🎧 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, rate, and share — and let’s start that campaign for Best Travel Podcast 2025 while we’re at it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this laugh-out-loud and painfully relatable episode, Becky and Jake tackle one of the most controversial topics in the travel trade — are friends and family actually the worst people to book holidays for? From being ghosted after sending quotes, to awkward “can you match this screenshot from On the Beach?” requests, they discuss why those closest to us often make the most difficult clients — and how to set boundaries early on.But it’s not all complaints! They also dive deep into the difference between being a travel agent versus just being a transactional booker. Jake shares how asking the right questions and recommending based on true insight builds long-term relationships, while Becky gives top tips on adding thoughtful touches, like personalized gifts and clever follow-up strategies, to keep customers coming back year after year.Plus, the pair chat cruise advice (of course), the ethics of animal encounters on holiday, how to make use of all those branded freebies from supplier events, and the shocking realisation that Becky has miscounted her visited countries for years. Spoiler alert: she’s actually been to 54, not 49.Expect mini-rants, real talk, and the kind of insider stories only travel agents can truly appreciate. If you've ever questioned your career after quoting for your cousin’s dream holiday only for them to book it themselves — this one’s for you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Becky and Jake are back—and melting in a windowless London studio before glamming up for the Agent Achievement Awards. This episode dives into some of the weirdest travel stories yet, including a poop-filled cruise disaster, customers bringing toasters on holiday, solar-powered suitcases, and someone trying to train it to the Maldives.They also tackle a hot topic from a listener: should travel agents ask for reviews, and how do you do it without feeling pushy? Spoiler alert: you absolutely should—Jake’s got some pro tips! Plus, a good old-fashioned rant about bare feet on planes (ew), Crocs, and the horror of fake lagoon views.Prepare to laugh, cringe, and question humanity. Just another day in the life of a travel agent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode, we dive into the world of supplier relationships, why they matter, how they can make or break your bookings, and what you really gain from attending supplier events (spoiler: it’s more than just a free pen). We also break down the elusive world of fam trips: how to get invited, what suppliers are looking for, and why those trips aren't just a holiday in disguise. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with tips, laughs, and a few behind-the-scenes tales from the trade. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.