Agent Diary: There’s nothing quite like the buzz of peaks

Peaks has reminded me of the power of staying connected to what you love most, says Arundel Travel director Helen Parry

And just like that, the first month of peaks is behind us. It’s been such a different experience for me this year. Although I’ve taken on a new teaching role at Leeds City College, the shop is always at the heart of everything I do. I’ve been balancing both roles, and I’ve loved finding ways to stay closely connected with the team and our customers.

Am I missing being on the shop floor full-time? Absolutely. There’s nothing quite like the buzz of peaks.

The steady hum of the door swinging open, the quick lunches you barely get to finish, and the cups of coffee that are always just a bit too cold by the time you drink them. It’s when the shop truly comes alive, and the team gets to shine. Their resilience, stamina and camaraderie are on full display – it’s genuinely inspiring to watch them pull together as one.

Back to my roots

That’s why I’ve made sure I still have my place in the shop by becoming the ‘Saturday Girl’ – and I absolutely love it! It’s funny really, because in the whirlwind of managing things behind the scenes, I’d somehow forgotten the joy that led me to open the shop in the first place: helping customers plan their dream holidays, sharing my stories and inspiring people to explore the world. Being back on the shop floor, even just one day a week, has felt like rediscovering a superpower.

Peaks this year has been quite different for the shop too. After a strong finish to 2024, we were a bit nervous heading into January, and when the Yorkshire snow arrived our hearts were in our mouths. The weather definitely affected bookings and, of course, a few people turned to the internet for that instant fix of sunshine. We can’t win them all. And yes, agents undercutting each other still happens – it’s disappointing but nothing new.

However, we know the real competition isn’t other agents or tour operators – it’s the DIY holiday market. Many people have forgotten the protection that comes with booking a package holiday, especially as the disruptions of Covid, delays and cancellations fade into memory.

Diverse offering

That’s why our focus is on showing our customers just how much we can do. Over the past year, we’ve worked hard to highlight the diversity of holidays we offer. The opening of the Long-Haul Lounge has been a game changer, bringing in inspiring bookings. Rail holidays are on the rise, multi-centre adventures are hugely popular and island-hopping is a real hit. The challenge for us now is maintaining that balance between the excitement of bespoke adventures and the reliability of traditional package holidays.

As we look ahead, I feel so proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team and excited for all that’s still to come. Every day brings a new opportunity, and this team is one that never stops learning, growing and adapting. Peaks has reminded me of the power of staying connected to what you love most, whether that’s helping customers, inspiring adventures or simply being part of an amazing team.

So, here’s to making 2025 our best year yet – one dream holiday at a time!

Short-staffed? Hire education

I know from talking to friends and colleagues that filling vacant positions hasn’t been plain sailing. Finding the perfect person can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but I have a tip: don’t forget about your local colleges. The travel, tourism and aviation teams there work hard to prepare the next generation of talent.

The students are brilliant: full of enthusiasm, buzzing with ideas and eager to learn. Whether they want full-time work or a part-time role to fit around their studies, their energy and passion is infectious. The teachers know the students inside out too, and can make brilliant recommendations.

PICTURE: Shutterstock/Billion Photos