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Cover Stars 2026: Madeira trip was perfectly timed for Laura Longhurst after a tough year
The Telford branch manager and cruise lover tells Andrew McQuarrie about laughing until she cried during a cable car trip, after the hardest year of her life
Q. Why did you apply to be a Cover Star?
A. I’m trying not to get emotional. Last year was a really tough year for me. My dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer and my mum had to be moved into a care home because she has dementia. I’d also moved to a larger branch, having been a manager for Hays Travel at a different branch, so there was a lot of change in my life. My Jet2holidays sales partner Emma Broad emailed me and encouraged me to apply, so I did.
Q. What was your reaction when you found out you had been selected?
A. The lovely Flora [Ioannou] at Travel Weekly gave me a call and I screamed down the phone. I was beyond excited. I couldn’t believe I’d been picked from all the applicants. I had customers in the branch at the time, and they and my team were absolutely thrilled for me. It just made it so special.
Q. How was the Jet2.com flight from Manchester?
A. Seamless from start to finish. The Jet2 team couldn’t do enough for us. Because it was an Indulgent Escapes trip, we had extra luggage, which I was so grateful for because I can never pack light. We were able to experience the lounge in Manchester and got to know each other. The cabin crew were exceptional, and having a £10 voucher that comes with Indulgent Escapes bookings to spend on board meant we were able to treat ourselves to a little something on the way to Madeira.
Q. How was the Savoy Palace hotel?
A. Wow, what a stunning hotel. The staff are so friendly and they’re really proud to show off not just the hotel but Madeira as an island. When I walked into the room, I was blown away. It had the most magnificent ocean views, a shower big enough to throw a party in and the bed gave the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time. At breakfast in the morning, the chef cooked the most phenomenal eggs benedict. I would recommend the hotel to anybody in a heartbeat.
Q. Had you ever visited Madeira before?
A. No, I’d never been – and, to be completely honest, I had preconceived ideas. I didn’t think it would be for somebody of my age group or younger. But how wrong I was. It completely surpassed all my expectations. I think Madeira has got something for everyone. It’s such a beautiful island and it’s so diverse in landscapes. If you’re a foodie, the cuisine is exceptional. And it’s quite an adventurous destination as well – there’s lots to do. Even just walking through Funchal, you can take in the architecture and see the artwork painted onto the buildings and doors. It’s a beautiful island. I can’t wait to go back, because I feel there’s so much more to explore.
Q. What were your highlights?
A. We had a cable car ride to the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens – the laughter we had in that cable car, I laughed until I cried. And then there were the views, which made for one of those ‘pinch me’ moments that I could share with a group of amazing people. We also went on an off-road Jeep safari, which was something I’d never done before. At one point, we all stood up on the vehicle with a gorgeous waterfall behind us and we were singing Jess Glynne at the top of our voices. I think the locals thought we’d all had a little bit too much Madeira wine.
Q. How was your photoshoot?
A. I was so nervous, but I got myself ready and the entire team put me at ease. I’m in my 40s now and I’ve lost some of my confidence. All they did was make me laugh and smile, so I felt comfortable. I really felt like a celebrity, especially when people were in the hotel grounds and they were like, ‘Oh, what’s going on there?’
Laura’s Career
I left school and went to college to study travel and tourism. As part of my course, I had a placement with West Midlands Co-op Travel. They offered me a position, so I finished my course early and started with them. I then left travel for a short period to work on the railway as a stewardess, where I met my husband. When we decided to start a family, I came back into travel and was a part of the Thomas Cook team at the Bull Ring in Birmingham.
I left travel once more, as I was enticed back to the railway and spent 15 years as a revenue protection manager. I came back to travel four and a half years ago with Hays Travel and it’s the best thing I ever did. I initially became branch manager at the branch in Halesowen, Dudley, and then I moved to Telford, Shropshire, last summer. With my Hays Travel family, I’ve been given so many opportunities – I was lucky enough to feature in a TV advert a few years back and I’m really passionate about cruise, so I’ve become a cruise expert.
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