NEW TEDDINGTON TAILORED SERVICE OFFERS PERFECT HOLIDAY SOLUTION
ADVERTORIAL
Organising a holiday, whether a weekend away or the big summer family holiday, tends to be stressful, time-consuming and very expensive.
But there is an increasing trend to use a bespoke or special and bespoke ‘concierge’ service that does all the research and the hard graft for you and makes the whole job easier and smoother and can even save you money.
Nikki Wilson, of Teddington, has set herself up as a travel counsellor with her own company called Tailor Made Travel For You (www.tailormadetravelforyou.co.uk) and has stumbled into a booming business on her doorstep.
We are delighted to welcome Nikki’s new business as the latest partner to your best local news and events website TEDDINGTON TOWN and give you an exclusive insight into how her business works and how she might be able to turn your holiday dreams into reality.
Q) So Nikki, you’ve moved into the exciting world of travel and organising holidays what made you start up the business?
A) I have been toying with the travel industry for several years, but never felt I had the window of time until now, and when I get into something I like to put my all into it. The purpose of the business is to take a task that can be stressful and time-consuming for travellers and support them from start to finish. As much as I love travelling, experiencing different countries and cultures, I really enjoying logistics and mapping out the finer details and making things happen. Working with people for nearly 30 years has given me so much insight into all our different ambitions and interests.
Q) Have you always been a keen traveller? Can you remember some of your best holidays as a kid?
A) I can honestly say I have enjoyed every country I have travelled in. Travelling has added some much to my life, learning about different cultures, history and most of all meeting new people and spending quality time with my family and loved ones. My best memories as a child does not consist of one location, every holiday was so special. I remember the best was the activities and the time we spent together as a family. We were a very active family so our days were full of thrill- seeking activities and fun evenings of food, dancing and entertainment. We often still speak about those holidays. I’d return home, feeling a more educated, a little more independent and grown up, with many tales to tell my friends and teachers.
Q)) It’s obvious that the travel agent has vanished from the High Street but doesn’t the internet now provide all the info for anyone to make it easy to book a holiday themselves without the help of an expert like you?
A) Correct. Our travel agent’s High Street stores have vanished, forcing people to spend time on the internet looking themselves. I think the problem is, the internet is vast and it can become overwhelming and time-consuming which many people finding it stressful and frustrating. This is where I come in as a service that I hope takes away my clients stress, after asking the right questions and getting to know my client I can tailor their holiday experience, giving them back their time. Life is busy. My offer to clients is a quality service; they tell me their requirements for the holiday and I get back to them with some drafts, ideas, and quotes, to see if this is to their liking and within their budget. There is no additional or hidden cost to my client, so actually my service is free. My commission is what I receive through the providers and hotels. My service is also provided during the actual holiday if required, when my clients are abroad, therefore, any complications beyond our control, I can offer support to resolve. I also have access to systems and providers who have specialist in tourism in each specific country, meaning I can often find hidden gems.
Q) Tell us a bit about customers – what’s the average spend, for instance, and is there one place that stands out as more popular than others?
A) The place that really is standing out now is Ibiza. I have recently booked a family break for clients in Santa Eulalia and the same day a holiday in San Antonio for a group of friends age 30-40. The average spend for my clients is £10,000, I am able to book, rail, car hire, taxi’s, shuttles, flights, airport lounges and activities and more specifically I can book activities when you are on holiday, chefs, yoga etc. Clients can truly switch off.
Q Is it the really expensive holidays you are interested in organising or could it be just a summer holiday for a family or a long weekend away for a special occasion?
A) I think my name answers this question, I am interested in tailor making holidays for my client, turning a dream into reality, whether this be a family holiday travelling around Europe, a fun packed car journey down the West Coast of America or a long weekend touring the Lake District or Cornwall. My passion is to offer the tailored service, creating and making the holiday come to life.
Q) What’s the most expensive holiday you’ve booked for anyone and where was it?
A) Over £50,000 to Portugal in a Villa for a large group of friends on a golfing holiday, this included all sports including golf and some of the party who didn’t golf had spa packages including 3 days of ayurveda therapies and yoga, oh and this included a private jet!
Q) The choice of holiday destinations now is massive, where are the three top places you’d like to go that you have not visited?
As a multi travel Brazil, Chile and Rio De Janeiro as I really want to see the carnival and feel the energy here. Nashville is another destination I wish to go to, as I love music, food and bars and last but not least, South Africa is on my bucket list. I want to experience South Africa, the culture, the game resorts, see the big 5 the spend time on a nearby beach reflecting, I am not sure where else you can experience this all of this.
Q) Do you think holidays are more important to people now than they were historically, if so why?
A) Absolutely> Life has changed for us all, many families working extra hours, school days longer with extra tuition and activities, we have access to so much on the internet at our finger tips (mobile phones) that it is so important for families to spend quality time together and after a period of us all not able to travel I feel there is a different appreciation of ‘freedom’ and the ability to explore. What is better than changing up the routine of your everyday life than to experience new cities, food and cultures together?
Q) How do you make your money if you are working hard to deliver good value to your customers?
A) There is no additional or hidden costs for my services. My commission is agreed through the providers, operators and hotels. My service is from the moment we agree to work with each other until you return, including when my clients are abroad, therefore, any complications beyond my control, I can hopefully help with.
Q) Have you had any big issues perhaps with a holiday going wrong wherever you’ve had to dive in and come to the rescue?
A) I have encountered some issues, let me give you an example; I have one client that had booked a holiday with me and then realised their passport was badly ripped, leaving them having no time to apply and pick up a new one but managed to arrange for a last minute appointment to collect from the passport office and thankfully save the day! .Another issue was a family who needed to book flights from another country as they needed to travel home early due to a medical emergency. I was able to work with them, the airline and the family’s insurance company to ensure it was handled smoothly. We never want any issues when travelling, but it can happen to anyone. I really enjoy anything which involves organising, problem solving and finding solutions.
Q) Do you think the staycation is having a big impact on foreign holidays and if you are booking anywhere in the UK where would you recommend?
A) I am also a big fan of staycation, rail only holidays and accessible travel, so I haven’t seen a drop in holiday requests. If I was to recommend somewhere in the UK, my heart would say the Lake District, specifically Ambleside, The Samlings Hotel as the views are out of this world, but if my clients are wanting some potential of receiving vitamin D, then I would be recommending Devon and Cornwall areas.
Q) What are your first three questions to a new customer seeking a new holiday experience?
A) After the general, Destination, Travel dates, guests, budget and flexibility? What kind of holiday experience are you looking for? Any special requirements? As many people have pets to travel, or may have mobility issues or special dietary requirements.
Q) Do hotels and resorts give you special discounts and deals which you can pass on to your customers which helps them save money?
A) Yes, I am offered special deals and discounts to my clients. I am happy for my clients to join my mailing list and I can share, but I will go more than this, as I get to know all of my clients, I will see these deals and could send them on in a personal email. My role is also here to support my client by negotiating with my suppliers in order to receive the best price to fit the budget.
YOU CAN CONTACT NIKKI AT TAILORMADETRAVELFORYOU.CO.UK