Describe your typical week
Four days on the road doing agent visits, training sessions, managers meetings, tourist board roadshows and even the odd game of cricket, then a day at home to catch up on admin and update my Facebook page.
How does the Sandals onthe-road sales team work?
There are six of us on the road and between us we cover the whole of the UK and Ireland. I look after the lovely agents in London and the south-east. We also have a sales team on the road in Europe.
What would we find in the back seat of your car?
Brochures – plus clothes hangers, iPhone charger cables, pens and sweet wrappers.
And on the radio?
Station of choice is LBC. I love to argue with the radio. If I’m feeling the need to have a private disco in the car, it’s Kisstory, old school. Before l travel out to resort, l find the reggae on my iPod to get me in the mood.
What snack keeps you going on the road?
Anything from a “drive thru”, as l really don’t want to get out of the car, especially when it’s raining.
What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever done as part of a sales visit?
Probably the most memorable is dressing as a nun with the rest of the sales team, and our managing director. We were in Jamaica at our annual worldwide sales meeting and the theme for one of the parties was the 90s, so we decided to dress up as Sister Act. We got some odd looks on resort, particularly from Beenie Man, who was performing.
What’s the best part of being on the road?
Every day is a different face and different town, which keeps the job interesting. One day I’m trudging through the snow in Kent, the next l\ could be jetting off to Turks & Caicos or helping run an Unveilings event for 300 people, as we did last year.
And the worst part?
Being away from my cats: Ian, Maurice and Murphy. I love coming home to them – oh, and the hubbie. Also, the British weather. It’s so unpredictable! Snow, sleet, rain, wind and sunshine – all in the one day.
How do you think agents would describe you?
Blonde, bubbly and bouncy. Always up for a coffee and a chat.
Which agency gives you the warmest welcome?
That’s very tricky, so let me be diplomatic. All of my agents give me a great welcome. However, Bianca, Devon and Jamie at Virgin Holidays in Chichester always give me the most enthusiastic welcome, but alas no coffee (take note, guys). Go Travel in Chislehurst do the best coffee by far – cheers, Sally.
What key messages do you try to convey in an agent visit?
I always try to convey any new developments out on resort, whether it’s renovations, new restaurants or even brand new resorts, which was the case this year with the opening of Sandals Barbados. Of course, no visit would be complete without mentioning Sandals’ travel agent reward programme, Sell & Go, which rewards agents with free nights at Sandals, Beaches and Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts.
What’s your advice for agents who don’t currently sell your product but are keen?
Book me in for some training. I love to spread the Sandals love to all my agents. Facebook me to book me in for a visit.
If you didn’t work in travel, what would you like to do instead?
If l were to do any other job, it would have to be something with animals. My first love would be working with monkeys because l was born in the Chinese year of the monkey. I would love to have my own cat sanctuary when l retire. I am the crazy cat lady.
