A whole two weeks…

Without the largest name in travel.

Thomas Cook had been around for 175 years and was the leading operator for package holidays. This is a massive blow to the travel industry and I know that a lot of people would agree that we are all noticing this massive hole more and more.

I still cant believe I have just had to say was and had in that sentence, so many people in the travel industry have got their own story that involves Thomas Cook in some way or another but I thought I would share mine with you.

I started my career in travel at Thomas Cook when I was 16 – when I was little I told everyone that I was going to work in travel and that’s all I wanted to do and when anyone asked me where I always said Thomas Cook. I was lucky enough to get my two weeks work experience in year 10 at the local branch and I loved every minute of it – I then knew that I was going to leave school and get a modern apprenticeship there and start my career. When it came to leaving school unfortunately they didn’t have a vacancy so I applied at every single agency I could think of – when I thought it wasn’t going to happen the a manger of Lowestoft branch rang me and she had been able to open a spot just for me! It was amazing!!!

I spent nearly 4 years at the Lowestoft branch and in that time was so lucky to visit so amazing places, including Australia, I was able to get Modern Apprentice of the year two years running too, my love of cruising started here too as my manger at the time was a big fan of cruising and wanted to teach someone all about it and become cruise coordinator and I just really enjoyed everything I was learning and seeing so I took it on. After I was qualified I felt like I wanted to move on and really wanted to get a job in the head office in Peterborough – I was lucky enough to get a job inn Marketing for the Travel Rewards team so I moved from Lowestoft to Peterbrough and started a new challenge and also started Marketing qualification distance learning. After 3 years in that role I then circled back into cruise I needed to get my cruise fix and I got a role on the cruise marketing team, starting off as an exec and working up to manager – this was just brilliant role for me I combined marketing which I was loving and cruise which had become my passion!

I have so much to thank Thomas Cook for, most importantly the people I have met and the friendships I have made. Alot of these people have been affected and my thoughts were with them instantly but I know they will find something to suit them in no time.