Light-hearted travel agent podcast aims to unite trade

A new podcast hosted by two travel agents aims to help consultants realise they are not alone in their daily work struggles while providing a light-hearted take on industry life.

 

Entitled ‘Tales of a Travel Agent’, the podcast is hosted by Jake Cullum-Hollins, chief executive of the Good Travel Agent, and Club Voyages travel consultant Becky Walker.

 

The series, which has released several episodes since its April launch, is promoted as “your front-row ticket to the wild, hilarious, and heart-warming world of travel”.

 

It is available on major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Podtail.

 

It is not just aimed at agents but anyone in the industry and aims to delve into the real-life experiences of travel agents to share their stories in a behind-the-scenes look at the sector.

 

Content ranges from bizarre customer requests to unforgettable trips with candid insights and plenty of laughter, according to the hosts, from Cullum-Hollins’ experience of unknowingly booking a holiday for a ghost to Walker’s tale of scoring a free scenic flight by stripping off.

 

But it also tackles industry topics, such as tips on using social media to attract new customers, to discussing the culture in the travel sector.

 

Cullum-Hollins, who met Walker on a fam trip in Jamaica, said: “After keeping in touch we quickly realised that there was a gap in the podcast world for something that was really relatable for travel professionals; a voice that helps those in the industry feel united with each other and realise they are not alone when it comes to some of the struggles we face.

 

“But we wanted to make sure it was something light-hearted and fun so you could have a giggle along the way!”

 

He described the podcast as “fun with realistic and relatable topics”, adding: “It’s unfiltered, truthful and situated around real life situations.”

 

Walker added: “The aim of this podcast is just to breathe life back into the travel industry. Sometimes everyone can get a bit bogged down with work, work, work.

 

"Have us on in the office, or on the drive to the supermarket. Let us be those friendly faces voicing the opinions we’re all thinking anyway.”

 

Walker said the key difference of this podcast was that it was not pushing any agenda.

 

She said: “All the current travel podcasts are either by influencers or by trade. The trade ones all have an agenda because they are from a specific tour operator or brand whereas we are not loyal to anyone in particular.

 

“A lot of the topics we discuss are being discussed on various forums whether it be Facebook groups or at supplier events so why not bring it all onto one platform?”

 

Cullum-Hollins urged agents to get in touch to tell their stories and anecdotes.

 

“We would love other travel professionals to get involved by sending us their stories of their time in the travel industry as we know from comments and reviews that our audience really enjoy hearing what’s happening out there in the world of travel,” he added.

 

Any agents with stories to tell can contact the hosts on talesofatravelagent@gmail.com.