Samantha Mayling speaks to the former Colchester Travel agent about a destination that ‘people don’t know much about’
Q. Why did you enter the Cover Stars competition?
A. I was working in the Billericay branch of Colchester Travel and had popped in during my day off. Ryan Clayton [sales executive] from Jet2holidays suggested I enter, so I did. I didn’t for one minute think that I would win and be going to Montenegro. Later, when I’d just returned from a Canada fam trip, the shop rang and said: “You’ve only gone and won something else.”
Q. Tell us about the VIP treatment
A. We were in the lounge at Manchester airport and were fast-tracked. It was really nice to get that treatment. I do sell a lot of Jet2holidays and I do encourage clients to book a lounge and the fast-track option; it makes it a lot easier and more pleasant because the airports can get really busy. We also had breakfast on the flight, which was about three hours. The Jet2holidays Red Team at the airport is brilliant. It’s easy for customers to identify them and they’re always helpful.
Q. Where did you stay?
A. It was a short transfer to the Iberostar Waves Slavija in Budva – it was such a friendly hotel. We were all upgraded to suites and my room was absolutely enormous, with lovely sea views – and a giant walk-in shower. The balconies were pretty, very traditional.
The lobby and bar were also luxurious. It was a small and friendly hotel. We had three nights there and were out and about each day. We visited other hotels: the Heritage Grand Perast By Rixos, Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, Chedi Luštica Bay and Porto Montenegro. I have sent customers to the Heritage hotel with Jet2holidays. One customer came into my shop – the day I was leaving – to tell me how friendly the hotel staff were. Porto Montenegro was a high‑end, trendy designer resort, with luxury yachts in the marina. The Hyatt had self-catering rooms – they’d be ideal for a family travelling with young children, and the Chedi Luštica Bay would be perfect for families too.
Q. What sightseeing did you do?
A. Kotor Bay was pretty. I loved the historic buildings and the walls. The setting was just stunning. We went to a village in the mountains where we had a wine and cheese tasting experience. I am not a fish eater but would say Montenegro is ideal for fish lovers. We visited a museum; it’s fascinating to learn about a country’s culture and history. Montenegro has a different feel to Croatia.
Q. What were the other Cover Stars like?
A. We’re a friendly and diverse group, with a good mix of ages – and we still chat on WhatsApp every week. We went to the Travel Weekly Globe Awards ceremony in London in January as guests of Jet2holidays. The night was fantastic, with great entertainment. It was a real treat – and we stayed over in the Hilton.
Q. How was your photoshoot?
A. It was on the first morning after we arrived, by the rooftop pool. But the weather was a bit hit and miss so we moved to the lobby instead. Steve [Dunlop, the photographer] asked if I could get up early again the following day, so we tried again by the pool, with blue skies this time. He was a lovely guy and made me feel really at ease – I’m not one for a photo session, but once I was there, I relaxed.
Q. Have you booked many Jet2holidays trips to Montenegro since you came back?
A. People don’t know much about the destination, but I’ve booked a few. You’ve got to promote it because many don’t realise that Jet2holidays sells Montenegro as it’s a fairly new destination [for the operator]. Customers will ask about Croatia and you can say: “What about Montenegro?” The packages are good value. People say that if you cut me in half, it says ‘Jet2’ running through the middle. For my leaving present [from Colchester Travel], they gave me Jet2 goodies. They said I was more excited about the goodies than the handbag and bottle of wine they had bought me!
Tania’s career
I worked in the money markets in the City for seven years but it was stressful. I’d always wanted to be in travel and met a guy from Thomas Cook in Antigua. He said I should work in travel, so I decided to do something fun. Starting in 1996, I worked at Thomas Cook’s Islington branch for six years before a career break to have children. We moved to Canada for a lifestyle change but missed friends and family. I worked at Your Golf Travel in London, then moved to Colchester Travel, where I sold tailor-made and luxury Jet2holidays trips.
Now I’m setting up as a homeworker with The Travel Network Group, as I want to be around more for my dad and kids. My business is called Well and Truly Travel because everybody should well and truly travel and because I’m well and truly travelled. It’s difficult to step away after eight years in the shop, but
I can be my own boss now.
