The elder son of Reuben’s Retreat founders Nicola and Mike Graham has followed in his parents’ footsteps and joined the travel industry.
Isaac Graham, 16, has started an apprenticeship as a trainee travel agent at Hays Travel’s Denton branch in Greater Manchester.
Mum Nicola, who set up Reuben’s Retreat following the death of her younger son Reuben in 2012, said Isaac had surprised her by trying for a job in travel after deciding not to take up his college place to do A-levels.
She said: “He was adamant he didn’t want to go back to the classroom, so an apprenticeship sparked his interest. After looking at estate agency jobs and accounting, he said, ‘I’ll look at travel because it’s what you know’.
As the family looked for local opportunities, Nicola spotted a social media post for apprentices in Denton.
After applying in July, Isaac was offered a job in August to start in September – straight after work experience at Destination2.co.uk, where his dad is senior cruise development manager.
Isaac said: “My parents have both worked in travel and this was a good opportunity. It’s been so interesting and everyone has been so welcoming.”
Pearl Hartley, branch manager of Hays Travel Denton, said: “Isaac has fitted in straightaway and was clearly destined to work in travel!”
Hays Travel chief operating officer Jonathon Woodall-Johnston said he was delighted to hear Isaac was settling in well to his role. “We recruit apprentices like Isaac nationwide – our programme puts participants at the heart of the action, and they are a great asset to Hays Travel. We are a family business, and everyone works together to support our apprentices’ development and to celebrates in their success,” he said.
Nicola, who previously worked at Red Sea Holidays, added: “We were surprised Isaac chose travel but we are really proud.”
Both Nicola and Mike started out as apprentices – Nicola as a YTS for Co-op Travel and Mike at Uni-travel at Lancaster University.
She said: “The travel industry is all we’ve ever known. We both started as youth trainees in agencies.”
Isaac’s new job has already changed home life. “Conversations at meal times are fascinating. We talk about anything from cruise ship capacity to selling extras,” said Nicola.
Isaac has already been to two training events and taken seven bookings – the first of which was to go to Benidorm with his mum. And to top it off, his store is supporting Reuben’s Retreat as its charity.
More: Take Off in Travel 2025: Travel Weekly’s guide to careers in travel and tourism