Tributes paid to Southampton Cruise Centre's Darren Hilsdon 

Tributes have been paid to Darren Hilsdon after his death aged 59. 

 

Hilsdon, whose career included roles with Travel 2 and The Co-operative Travel, was employed as a cruise concierge at The Travel Village Group brand Southampton Cruise Centre and died on January 15.

 

The Travel Village Group co-owner Phil Nuttall hailed Hilsdon as a “much-loved and highly respected member of the UK travel industry”.

 

He added: “Darren was someone I had the privilege of working alongside for more than 25 years, but more importantly someone I was proud to call a friend.

 

“He was one of those rare individuals who left a lasting impression on everyone he worked with – not through ego or noise, but through kindness, humour, professionalism and an instinctive understanding of people.”

 

After attending school and college in Stoke-on-Trent, Hilsdon went on to work alongside respected industry figures and built strong relationships across airlines, suppliers and agent partners.

 

During his many years at Bourne Travel, he built a loyal customer base, Nuttall noted, before becoming a key part of the e-commerce operation at Southampton Cruise Centre.

 

“He was a real asset – someone who instinctively knew when to be serious, when to laugh and how to handle any situation with care and good judgement,” said Nuttall.

 

He added: “While Darren was proud of his career in travel, his greatest loves in life were his music while playing in the band Venezuela Venezuela, plucking his guitar in his loft and most importantly his beautiful daughter, Anna, whom he absolutely adored.

 

“Darren had a rare musical gift. He could pick up a guitar and make it come alive, effortlessly. 

 

“Through his music – and his encyclopaedic knowledge of lyrics and the stories behind them – he touched more people than he would ever have realised. Those moments, often shared over a beer or a glass of wine while propping up a bar, are memories many of us will treasure.

 

“Our family will always be grateful for everything Darren contributed to our business and the friendships he built along the way. He will be remembered fondly by colleagues, partners, customers and friends across the industry.

 

“Our thoughts are firmly with his daughter Anna and his wider family at this incredibly difficult time.”

Blue Bay Travel chief executive Alistair Rowland said: “I knew Darren as a branch manager in Coop Travel when I led that business in the early 2000s and more recently in his time at The Travel Village Group.

 

“Darren was genuine, positive and a nice man and I was very sorry to hear about his passing. 

 

“He loved the travel industry and lived life to the full around it. RIP Darren, you will be remembered with fondness.”