We chat to Caroline Foxwell, sales manager of Travelbag’s Western Road store to hear why Travelbag are tailored holiday specialists, talk dream trips and the importance of making memories…
Hi Caroline! When did Travelbag Brighton open?
We have been in Brighton since September 2006 and in our current location on Western Road for over 7 years.
How long have you been sales manager for the store?
3 years next month! I’ve worked in the travel industry for over 20 years as a sales consultant and sales manager. I can never decide which I prefer more, selling holidays or managing a great team! Both are very rewarding.
Which destination is your most popular?
This changes throughout the year as destinations come in and out of fashion. Right now, we are seeing a lot of interest in places like Thailand, the Maldives, Mauritius and South Africa
Our customers look to us for advice and we tend to use our personal experiences to help meet their needs.
Why do you think that is?
We are a long haul specialist, with 40 years of creating tailored travel experiences. People tend to come to us because they are looking for something exciting, more exotic, adventurous or different from the usual ‘fly and flop’ holiday.
These destinations offer travellers plenty of opportunity to enjoy amazing experiences, from incredible scuba diving to safaris, great food, interesting cultures and excellent weather – which is always important to Brits!
Plus, they are great value! For example, one of our current offers includes spending 2 nights in the heart of Bangkok and 5 nights in vibrant Phuket, 4* hotels with breakfast, direct flights with Thai Airways and full transfers for £799 per person.
What do you personally enjoy most about travelling?
I have travelled the world and every destination has been amazing from Sicily to Borneo, Bahamas to Dubai and Krakow to Victoria Falls and I have loved every minute of it.
I have memories that will stay with me forever and experienced the true side of every destination. Sampling local food, meeting beautiful people and almost finding myself in a way that has made me come out of my comfort zone and see the wonders outside of my front door.
Sounds perfect! Which has been your favourite Travelbag trip so far and why?
It has to be sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of The Seas! This floating 5* hotel is like nothing I have every seen or experienced before, a truly magnificent cruise ship.
The excitement, being wowed, looking up constantly mouth wide open not believing what I was seeing. It got me – the atmosphere, the colours, the different levels was all quite overwhelming, but so exciting. It really is difficult to convey just how magnificent Symphony is and how much there is to do on board.
Symphony is stunning, exciting and a real experience. You will never get bored and you will certainly not go hungry or thirsty. She really is an impressive ship that has ticked all the boxes to ensure that her guests have a truly magical time. Yes you can easily be forgiven for forgetting you are on a ship. It’s a resort on the sea, but don’t let that put you off. Cruising – never say never… you may just be pleasantly surprised.
Where are you off to next?
I’m taking my 15 year old daughter to Dubai in July. I have only ever been there for work, so to share it with her and all that it offers is going to be an adventure. I’m spoiling her with Emirates Business Class flights starting the holiday off in style and staying at the beautiful Rixos The Palm for 2 weeks. She has it all planned in every detail, water parks, dune safaris, Dubai Mall and the aquarium. Making memories with her in this way is every parent’s dream and I cannot wait.
Before you go, what do you enjoy most about your job?
The opportunities of seeing the world and being able to talk about my experiences with our lovely customers.
Finally, my wonderful team, they are incredible, knowledgeable and make every day an enjoyable one and this is down to our shared passion for travel.
Visit Caroline and the Travelbag Brighton team at 65 Western Road.
Website: http://www.travelbag.co.uk/
Phone: 0207 001 4068
Opening Times: Mon-Sat: 9am-6pm, Sunday: 10am-5pm
