So many of you ask how me how I got in to Travel, grab yourself a cupper and I’ll tell you all about it!
Taking you back to 1998….back where it all began. Fresh faced, just finished college, a newly passed driving licence and a whole new world to explore.
I attended Runshaw College and studied leisure and tourism for 2 years. It was here my spark for travel was ignited. I started my first ‘proper job’ as a travel agent for Going Places in Preston at the age of 17 – and what a job it was. Who remembers going into a Travel agent to book their holiday straight out of the brochure? Those were the days!
Having never been abroad before, I was like a sponge – I could not believe how much of the world there was to see. I still remember my very first booking – it was a coaching holiday!
I went on my first ever holiday that same year and have never looked back. My eyes were fully open and my mind wanted more! I was hooked! I absolutely loved my job and knew I wanted to travel the world!
After working my way up to Assistant Manager at Going places, and winning Assistant Manager of the year, I moved to First Choice as the Assistant Manager, moving up to Manager and eventually opening my own store in Burnley a few years later in 2004. It was a dream come true. I later moved back to Preston to become the Manager of the Holiday Hypermarket on the Deepdale Retail Park.
Sadly, in 2007 – my father passed away suddenly at the age of 49 – and my world came crashing down! This event led me to follow my childhood dream of becoming a Primary School teacher (something he had always encouraged me to do)
Whilst training to become a teacher, I worked part time at my husband’s coach company and it was here where I learnt to drive a double decker bus – I have always loved a challenge.
I was in education for 12 years and absolutely loved being a teacher and working with children. To have such an important role in so many young people’s lives, helping them flourish and grow really is something special – BUT I still has that little boggle and something kept pulling me back to travel.
Having booked all my own holidays with Designer Travel, I became really good friends with my travel agent. I saw first hand just how much they cared about their clients holidays, their passion and love for travel really shone through. I was so inspired and realised I had to follow my heart!
I spoke with Amanda Matthews – the Managing Director of Designer Travel – and I knew there and then I just had to become part of this incredible team. So, in December 2019, I left my career in education behind (or so I thought) and ‘Designer Travel by Emma Buckle was born. I was over the moon and absolutely loved it! I was doing a job I loved.
However, little did I know what was around the corner with COVID in 2020 (seems like a lifetime ago now really since all the isolating, social distancing and toilet roll shortages!!). My business was just getting off the ground and the. It all stopped! I decided to go back teaching whilst still trying to build up my business at the same time.
I was very, very lucky to find an incredible little school where I worked part time for the next 3 years. The staff, the children, the parents, it was brilliant! As things became to return to come normality, and as I got busier, I really started to struggle juggling the two jobs, so I had to make a difficult decision to put my business first! in 2022 I left education for the last time and threw myself into my business.
I’m now coming up to my 6th year with Designer Travel and my only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. I am always learning and constantly attending training courses to keep myself up to date and on top with the ever changing world of travel.
Last year, 2024, I was able to introduce to you my amazing assistant, Jan, who worked 4 hours a week with me, checking my clients in, doing all my API and passport information, sending out my VIP emails and much, much more. I really couldn’t manage without her.
I now have so many wonderful clients who book with me year after year, and I’m super proud that 90% of my business is repeat business and recommendations – so THANK YOU! Last year I had over 900 clients travel with me! WOW! From a weekend in Spain to a
Bucket list trip to Australia and everything in between.
I really couldn’t do what I do without you. Thank you for putting your trust in me to look after your holidays!
Emma x
