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Tui agent marks 60 years in trade after starting career in 1966
A Tui travel agent who started selling holidays before the moon landing is celebrating 60 years in the trade this month, with the operator believing her to be Britain’s longest-serving agent.
Ellen Davey, 77, who works at Tui’s Stevenage store, first started her career on July 1, 1966.
Her entry into the travel industry came in the same month that Harold Wilson was prime minister, England won the World Cup at Wembley, and the UK still used pre-decimal currency.
Six decades later, Davey continues to work four days a week, specialising in everything from short-haul European beach breaks to Caribbean cruises, having witnessed the complete transformation of the British holiday market.
Davey entered the industry as a secretary to the managing director at Mahony’s Travel in Luton before transitioning to bookings.
She stayed with the business as it became part of Lunn Poly in 1979, later rebranding to Thomson and ultimately Tui.
During her tenure, she has progressed from ticketing and reservations to counter supervisor and store manager, previously leading her branch to a Shop of the Year award.
Reflecting on her milestone, Davey said: “People often ask me when I’m going to retire, but I genuinely don’t want to. I think work keeps me young. I’ve made wonderful friends through Tui, I’ve met incredible customers and I still get excited helping someone book a holiday. I absolutely love my job.”
Davey added: “When I started, there were no computers, no internet, no emails, no e-tickets and no online booking systems. If a customer wanted a holiday, we’d spend hours on the phone speaking to airlines and hotels to check availability.
“Customers would spend hours flicking through brochures and planning a holiday. For many families, it would be the only overseas trip they’d take for several years.
“Today, customers can look at hundreds of destinations on their phone in minutes, but many still value speaking to someone who knows them and understands what makes a good holiday.”
Over her six-decade career, Davey has built relationships with customers that span generations, with many families returning to her year after year.
Long-standing customer Steve Grimsley, whose family has been booking holidays with Davey for more than 40 years, said: “My parents-in-law booked with Ellen for more than 20 years and I’ve personally been booking with her for over 20 years too.
“She has helped create so many happy memories for our family over the four decades. She isn’t just our travel agent, she’s someone we trust completely.”
Tui UK & Ireland managing director Neil Swanson paid tribute to Davey’s exceptional service and dedication to the trade.
Swanson said: “It’s not every day you get to celebrate someone who started selling holidays in the same month England won the World Cup, before decimalisation, emails, e-tickets and the internet, and is still inspiring customers and colleagues 60 years later.
“Ellen is quite simply one of a kind. Her knowledge of travel is phenomenal, but what makes her truly special is the care she puts into every customer interaction.
“Everyone at Tui is incredibly proud to call Ellen a colleague. She’s seen our business and our industry transform over six decades, yet her passion for helping people discover the world hasn’t changed one bit.”
Stevenage store manager Sharon Wood, who has worked alongside Davey for 33 years, added: “After 33 years we’ve become like sisters. I’ve never known anyone who lives and breathes travel like Ellen.
“Customers walk into the store specifically asking for her because they know she’ll care about their holiday as much as they do. Her knowledge is extraordinary, but it’s the relationships she’s built that make her so special.”
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