Mair Jones of Bordessa Holidays said the passion for her business shared by dad Geoff, who passed away in March after a stroke, was “keeping her going” through grief and the ongoing challenges of the coronavirus crisis.
“It’s been such a surreal and hard time as it all happened so quickly,” she told TTG. “Not being able to see all of our family due to lockdown has been tough, but my husband [and business partner] Chris has been an amazing support.”
Mair said Geoff was beloved by Bordessa clients and would drive the Carmarthen- based agency’s coach for its day trips and short breaks. Many paid warm tributes to him on Facebook after he died.
“The last conversation I had with my dad was about trying to get clients back from Egypt. It was proving really difficult. When we eventually got them home, he gave me a big hug and told me how proud he was of me.
“My mum says how proud he would have been of me still, as we keep going through everything that’s happening.”
Spurred on, Mair posted offers on social media, with a Krakow city break for March 2021 attracting more than 70 customers.
Further success came at the end of May with a single Facebook post leading to £100,000 in sales, with more than 80 passengers booking a P&O Caribbean transatlantic sailing in 2022.
“It just goes to show there is a glimmer of light at the end of this tunnel. Everything I do will be for my dad to continue to make him proud,” said Mair.
