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Tales of a Travel AgentEpisode 17: Award-Winning Agents & Absolutely Absurd RequestsThis week’s episode is a wild ride through the highs and lows of travel life — from red carpet recognition to flat tyres and collapsing wardrobes. Becky kicks things off with the full, unfiltered story of how she took home a prestigious CLIA Master Award (yes, she’s now officially award-winning), complete with a surprise announcement, hair commentary from strangers, and a near miss with a gravy-soaked trophy. Jake dishes on what it was like witnessing the moment, and how Becky accidentally became the Lara Croft of travel.We dive deep into the chaos of awards nights...2025-07-2838 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 16: The Worst ClientsIn this laugh-out-loud and painfully relatable episode, Becky and Jake tackle one of the most controversial topics in the travel trade — are friends and family actually the worst people to book holidays for? From being ghosted after sending quotes, to awkward “can you match this screenshot from On the Beach?” requests, they discuss why those closest to us often make the most difficult clients — and how to set boundaries early on.But it’s not all complaints! They also dive deep into the difference between being a travel agent versus just being a transactional booker. Jake shares how...2025-07-2144 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 15: Poop Cruises, Crusty Feet & Customer ComplaintsBecky and Jake are back—and melting in a windowless London studio before glamming up for the Agent Achievement Awards. This episode dives into some of the weirdest travel stories yet, including a poop-filled cruise disaster, customers bringing toasters on holiday, solar-powered suitcases, and someone trying to train it to the Maldives.They also tackle a hot topic from a listener: should travel agents ask for reviews, and how do you do it without feeling pushy? Spoiler alert: you absolutely should—Jake’s got some pro tips! Plus, a good old-fashioned rant about bare feet on planes...2025-07-1437 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 14: Term-Time Travel, Triple A’s & Tales of Luxury ClientsWe're back and buzzing – Becky’s off to the Triple A’s as a finalist (no big deal 👀) and we’re talking all things travel agent life, awards night glam, and... the absolute daylight robbery that is school holiday pricing. Seriously, why is it double the price to go skiing just because it's February half term?! We dive into the parent struggle of deciding whether to take the fine or fork out thousands more for a family holiday – and whether schools should be a bit more chill if the kids are off learning about the world on a tour of Sri Lanka...2025-07-0737 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 13: Cruise confessions, consultation fees & getting chased by the policeIn this episode, Becky and Jake get fired up about the growing trend of hotels undercutting travel agents with direct booking offers — and share their frustrations about losing loyal clients to cheeky 30% discounts. They dive deep into the ongoing debate around consultation fees: should travel agents be charging for their time, and if so, how do you actually make it work without scaring off clients?There’s also a big conversation about protection — ATOL, ABTA, and why clients still don’t get what it all really means (even though it could save them thousands). Jake breaks down a £...2025-06-3049 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 12: Suits, Seats & Silent DiscosIn this no-holds-barred episode of Tales of a Travel Agent, Jake and Becky are back with a hilarious and heartfelt deep dive into all things travel—from awkward uniforms and stand-up airplane seating to the unexpected perks of networking.Jake vents about the outdated world of travel agent dress codes while sweating over a 30-degree day at Ascot. Becky recounts a whirlwind eight days involving a trip to Iceland (with a silent disco and mocktail in hand), a fitness expo, and a hilariously tragic tollgate error. They get real about missed flight connections, customer complaints, and wh...2025-06-2339 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 11: Pride, Pressure & PaybackIn this powerful episode of Tales of a Travel Agent, we open up about the realities of working from home in the travel industry and the impact it can have on mental health. From feelings of isolation to setting boundaries between work and life, we share honest insights and advice for looking after yourself when you’re flying solo. Jake finally gets his sweet revenge on Becky after last week’s airport code quiz disaster, and we round off by celebrating Pride Month — diving into the importance of LGBTQIA+ friendly holidays and why there’s still a long way to go in ma...2025-06-1646 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 10: Code Cracked: Airport Quizzes, Travel Industry Gaps & Our Latest AdventuresIn Episode 10 of Tales of a Travel Agent, Becky puts Jake to the test with a fun (and surprisingly tricky) airport code quiz—how many can he really get right? We also dive into a more serious conversation about the lack of accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities in the travel industry, discussing where the sector is falling short and what needs to change. Plus, we share stories from some of the recent destinations we've visited and loved. Expect laughs, honest chat, and plenty of travel inspo! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-06-0937 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 9: Hacks, Trolls & Space PopstarsIn Episode 9 of Tales of a Travel Agent, we’re blasting off into the world of social media hacks, cyber safety, and intergalactic popstars. Jake shares a game-changing Facebook trick that's skyrocketed his engagement – and no, it doesn’t involve dancing. We chat about the importance of cyber security in travel, how Katy Perry’s space flight has us howling, and unleash a passionate rant about why travel agents really need to stop tearing each other down. It's a spicy mix of tips, laughs, and truth bombs you won’t want to miss! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...2025-06-0247 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 8: Catch-Ups, Chaos & Creating UrgencyIt’s been a while… so in this episode, Jake and Becky catch up on everything and anything! From recent travels to hilarious stories, it's a relaxed (and slightly chaotic) chat full of laughs. We dive into the importance of the ‘lates’ period in the travel industry and share our top tips for creating urgency with clients. Plus, we hit a major milestone – 1,000 listeners! Join us for the banter, the insights, and the celebrations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-05-2640 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 7: Mountains, Mishaps & Missing RampsThis week, we dive into the highs and lows of adventure travel—from scaling mountains to navigating hotel room nightmares. Becky shares her incredible story of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, while Jake vents about the ongoing struggle of finding accessible and genuinely disabled-friendly accommodation. Expect laughs, frustration, and inspiration in equal measure as we explore the challenges and triumphs of travelling off the beaten path. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-05-1934 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 6 - Supplier Shenanigans & Fam Trip FOMOIn this episode, we dive into the world of supplier relationships, why they matter, how they can make or break your bookings, and what you really gain from attending supplier events (spoiler: it’s more than just a free pen). We also break down the elusive world of fam trips: how to get invited, what suppliers are looking for, and why those trips aren't just a holiday in disguise. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with tips, laughs, and a few behind-the-scenes tales from the trade. Hosted on Acast. See acas...2025-05-1235 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 5: Overwhelmed or Underwhelmed?In this episode, Jake and Becky dive into some of the world’s most famous sights and play a game of "Overwhelming or Underwhelming"—sharing their hot takes on whether these iconic locations live up to the hype. Plus, Becky stumbles across a hilarious Reddit thread filled with bizarre and funny customer requests that will have you in stitches. Tune in for a mix of travel insights and plenty of laughs! 🎧✈️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-05-0529 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 4 - Solo Travels, Sustainable Stays & Spooky BookingIn this episode of Tales of a Travel Agent, Jake and Becky dive into the world of solo travel—the perks, the pitfalls, and the unexpected adventures that come with exploring alone. They also tackle the topic of sustainability in travel, sharing tips on how to be a more eco-conscious explorer. And finally, Jake recounts the bizarre yet hilarious tale of the time he unknowingly booked a holiday for a ghost. 👻✈️Tune in for laughs, insights, and another dose of travel mayhem! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-04-2835 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 3 - Ryanair Roasts & Pet PeevesIn this episode, we dive into some of our most memorable travel disasters—including a whirlpool bath surprise that sent us running for a new room. We also share some of the funniest and most savage tweets from Ryanair’s social media, proving once again that they’ve mastered the art of online banter. Plus, we vent about our biggest travel pet peeves, from clapping when the plane lands (why?!) to the chaos of airport security. Tune in for plenty of laughs and a few cringeworthy confessions! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2025-04-2133 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 2 - Social Media Wins & Becky's Bare AdventureIn this episode of Tales of a Travel Agent, we share powerful tips on using social media to attract new customers and boost your travel business. From creating engaging content to building genuine connections, we reveal how to turn followers into loyal clients. We also touch on the travel industry’s booze-heavy culture and why it’s time for more alcohol-free options at events. And of course, you won’t want to miss Becky’s outrageous story of how she scored a free scenic flight… by stripping off. Yes, really. Buckle up—it’s going to be a wild ride! 🍹🚫📲 Hosted on Acast. Se...2025-04-1441 minTales of a Travel AgentEpisode 1 - Price Parity & Swinging ResortsIn the first-ever episode of Tales of a Travel Agent, hosts Jake Cullum-Hollins and Becky Walker dive into a hot topic in the travel industry: price parity. They discuss the frustration travel agents face when tour operators undercut them with direct-to-consumer pricing—making it harder for agents to compete. But it’s not all business talk! The duo shares some side-splitting booking stories, including the time an older gentleman accidentally ended up at a swingers hotel—and didn’t seem too upset about the mix-up. 😂 Tune in for a perfect blend of industry insights and outrageous travel tales. 🌍✈️ 👉 Listen now and subscribe for you...2025-04-0734 min