Readers’ Lives: Ann Jones

As a strong promoter of UK holidays, Ann likes to practise what she preaches. That means making sure she books and goes on plenty of domestic breaks so she can pass on as much first-hand knowledge as possible to her clients.

“I am doing lots of UK holidays myself this year. I love weekends away,” she says.

So far this year Ann has already been to Edinburgh and she has trips booked to London in April, Manchester in May, Jersey in July, Meifod in Powys, mid-Wales, in August, and Cardiff in October.

“I still need to decide where to go in November and December but I will probably be going back to London because I love the theatre and sitting in Covent Garden to watch the world go by!” she says.

It was on one such trip to the capital with SuperBreak that Ann learnt about Oyster cards – a lesson that she was able to pass on to her customers.

“We were waiting for a bus and, when it came, the driver said he wouldn’t take cash. I couldn’t believe it! They take cash in Wales! I’d heard about Oyster cards but I didn’t know very much about them. Now we recommend them as an add-on with all our London bookings,” she says.

For Ann, a city break doesn’t need to be overseas and it can be just as much fun discovering what is happening in the UK.

As a result, she will always recommend a domestic holiday as one of her options for a city break, even if clients themselves may not have thought of taking a break in Manchester or London.

“There are so many places to go to right on our doorstep. I’m one for concerts and I always book a hotel so I don’t have to worry about getting back that night.

“It’s always worth looking to see what’s on around town when your customers are going away.”Ann’s agency works with local clubs and organisations to arrange accommodation for groups attending sports matches and 
other competitions.

“The last one was for 80 children and adults going to London from a local drama and singing school,” she says, adding: “It really helps to have good suppliers and contacts.”