By Graham Townsley, Travel Counsellor
I had every intention this month of writing a light, feelgood piece packed with travel news and inspiration. Then, as often happens in travel, life threw a curve ball and the tone had to change.
In a way, that’s the perfect metaphor for travel itself. We plan, we book, we get excited, and we give ourselves something to look forward to. Then real life steps in: a change of job, a family wedding no one knew about when you booked, an illness, or, on a bigger scale, world events like those in the Middle East.
Some of those curve balls are happy ones, some are worrying, but almost all of them have an impact on your travel plans. Dates need to move, routes need to change, and suddenly that “simple” online booking does not feel quite so simple.
So who do you trust, and where do you turn for support?
In over 25 years in travel I have seen a lot: 9/11, ash clouds, financial crises, Covid, and now the latest unrest in the Middle East. What has stayed constant through all of it is how people feel: anxious, uncertain and often overwhelmed.
For me, the most important thing in these moments is communication. Letting my customers know I am here, I am already thinking two steps ahead about how to keep their plans safe or get them home. It is not just about flights and forms, it is about reassurance and honesty.
You want one trusted contact: the person who booked your trip, knows your family, understands what matters to you and is prepared to sit in the mess with you until it is sorted.
It is also why I always say: do not confuse a cheap .com with real value. The cost of feeling alone, stressed and unsure where to turn is far higher than the saving on a headline price.
Of course, we still want to travel.
By the time you read this, the current Middle East crisis may have eased, and I genuinely hope it has. But experience tells me that even when things look calmer, the questions remain:
Where is safe?
Where feels right for us?
If I invest in this trip, what happens if another curve ball appears?
Travel to create memories
This is true whether you are travelling solo, as a couple, with family, or chasing a big adventure. I never want these columns to feel like a sales pitch. I would much rather they give you insipiration.
If you had plans involving the Middle East, or even transiting through the region, it does not mean you have to give up on your holiday. Far from it.
For summer getaways, the Mediterranean is full of options: the culture and cuisine of Italy, French sophistication on the Riviera, or tried and trusted favourites in Spain and the islands.
If you are craving something more exotic, you might be pleasantly surprised at how competitive some longhaul destinations can be: the lagoon dotted shores of Mauritius, the beaches and culture of underrated Sri Lanka. Heading west for a Caribbean island escape or a Canadian adventure.
The world is still very much open; just about choosing wisely.
Reassurance
Ultimately, how you book and who you book with will decide whether your travel feels seamless or stressful.
Do not take unnecessary chances. Protect yourself, your loved ones and your pocket put your plans in the hands of someone who will stand beside you when those curve balls come.
Until next time, here is to safe travels, smart choices and plenty of future inspiration.
www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/graham.townsley