Last updated 14:39, Friday, 25 July 2008

Interview with Natasha Dmytrowski, manager of Craig Travel, Workington

What attracted you to the travel industry?

I always wanted to be a teacher when I was at school but I got a Saturday job in Craig Travel when I was 17 years old and I’ve been here ever since.

I was working here while I was still a student at Workington Sixth Form Centre and I enjoyed the job that much I decided to stay. I found it really interesting dealing with people and everyday was different; it still is.

Have you had to undertake any training?

Since I started I’ve slowly build up a portfolio of training and qualifications. I’ve got NVQs in Customer Services, NVQ eqivalents with the Travel Training Company, product training and training with the tourist boards – as each country has its own individual training requirements.

What does the job involve?

It’s such an exciting and fast paced industry; I can be planning a tailor-made round-the-world trip for someone one day and organising stag and hen parties the next.

But the job also involves other responsibilities such as currency services and completing manager reports, to selling holidays, brochures and window displays.

Why do you enjoy the job?

I like finding out what the customer wants and fulfilling that responsibility of sending them on a memorable holiday; it’s exciting selling holidays.

We also have the added bonus of travelling the world and seeing all the different places.

What places have you visited?

I’ve been lucky enough to have gone all over. I’ve visited Australia twice, the USA, Maldives, Dubai and Bangkok.

While we’re there we look round and inspect the hotels, we also take the excursions so we can offer advice to our customers and are constantly looking out for things which might be of interest to our customers.

Some of the more recent ones have been a visit to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and a cruise to Thailand in April.

What is next for you and your career?

We’re busying working on a website at the moment and developing our marketing material. But it’s a very fast-paced job so finding time for everything is difficult. We have quiet days now and again but we use those to catch up with paperwork.