Hays Travel agent celebrates 40 years in industry

 A Hays travel agent is celebrating 40 years in the industry – and says she will never tire of selling holidays.

Julie Furness, who works at Hays Travel in Poole, Dorset, started her career as a travel agent in 1986 when she was 17 years old.

Her first job was as a travel consultant at Bath Travel in Ferndown and since then she has worked at a number of different branches across the county and held several senior positions.

“I have done all sorts of things over the years, and my career has taken me from Ferndown, to Westbourne, to Poole,” she said, adding: “I have never got bored of it. I just absolutely love it, and I never want to leave.”

Furness now works three days a week as a travel consultant in Hays’ Poole branch, formerly a Bath Travel shop, and enjoys Mediterranean holidays and city breaks when she can get away. Hays Travel acquired Bath Travel in 2013.

Furness counts many of her loyal clients as friends. “I am lucky to have many regular customers, all of whom have become friends. I love that people I have known for so long continue to come into the branch. I also get lots of WhatsApp and text messages,” she said.

She cited changes during her time in the travel industry for agents who want to progress their career.

She said: “There were no apprentices when I first started. Things have completely changed. It was really difficult to get into management in those days. I didn’t reach that stage until I was 28, having worked as a travel consultant, a deputy manager and assistant branch manager.”

Her advice to those starting out as travel consultants is to “get your head into it, work hard and keep going”.

She added: “Otherwise you won’t get anywhere. It’s all commitment to your customers.”

Clive Hill, Hays Travel’s regional sales manager for Dorset and the New Forest, said: “Julie really is an amazing colleague. With her impeccable service, willingness to go the extra mile and attention to detail, it is little wonder she has so many loyal customers who have become lifelong friends.

“Reaching a 40-year milestone in any industry is a remarkable achievement and I would like to pass on my congratulations on behalf of all the team in the Dorset and New Forest region.”