Cover Stars: How VIP trip inspired Jessica Gilmour to start selling a new destination

The Stewart Travel agent based in Kilmarnock tells Andrew McQuarrie about the Cover Stars Montenegro trip

Q. How was your outbound flight with Jet2.com?
A. I had never flown from Manchester before so it was all new to me and I found the airport really straightforward. It was a slick process. And it was great to see the lounge, which was such a nice start to the trip. We had pre-booked breakfast on the flight and the service was so quick. I always enjoy the meals on board.

Q. What was the Iberostar Waves Slavija like?
A. It was a beautiful hotel in a really good area within walking distance to the main resort. It had a really nice rooftop terrace with an infinity pool that overlooked the whole area. When we arrived it was very sunny and I remember taking a walk and looking at the breathtaking scenery and thinking, ‘Wow, how amazing is this?’ Our rooms had all been upgraded to suites. I had a French balcony and judging from the views, I must have been given one of the best rooms in the hotel.

Q. What were the sightseeing highlights?
A. It’s so hard to pick a highlight because the trip was jam-packed – we managed to do such a lot in a short space of time, which was great. I think Kotor was my favourite place. It had a medieval atmosphere, like you had taken a step back in time. Everything was so clean and it was just beautiful.

The other highlight has to be the day we went up the mountain and there was a look-out point where we had pictures taken. The photos were amazing. The scenery reminded me of being at home in Scotland. I hadn’t experienced anything like it. It was beautiful. The boat trip to Our Lady of the Rocks was really nice too. We got off and got to see inside the small church and it was absolutely packed. The architecture was amazing and it was something quite different to see.

Q. Can you tell us more about your photoshoot?
A. I didn’t know what to expect with the photoshoot, but Steve [the photographer] made sure we were all comfortable, so it was dead easy. I thought it was going to be so hard, but Steve is great at what he does so it was a really good experience. We did one picture with the backdrop of the mountains with breathtaking views and then another one when we got into Kotor old town when it was just starting to get dark, which gave it a real atmosphere.

Q. What was the food and drink like?
A.The Chedi Luštica Bay was my favourite hotel. It was phenomenal. The service and the food were incredible. I can’t remember if it was five or seven courses, but the selection and variety were amazing. And the staff were amazing too. Throughout the trip, the food and drink was of a high standard and the seafood platters were amazing. Wine tasting at the hotel was something I hadn’t done before, so it was a really nice experience and helpful to be shown which wines go with which food. I don’t normally drink red wine, but it was actually really nice.

Q. Have you managed to sell Montenegro with Jet2holidays?
A. I have and I’ve given clients tips on where to go and how to plan their journey. It’s a place where there is so much to do. You could just stay in one area if you want to relax, but there are so many beautiful areas I would recommend seeing when you’re there.

I booked a trip for two female friends who like exploring and I thought, ‘Montenegro is perfect for you’. If I hadn’t been on the Cover Stars trip, I wouldn’t have suggested it because I wouldn’t have known all the things there were to do.

Q. How were your fellow Cover Stars?
A. It was such a good group with a lot of knowledge and a mix of ages. We’ve got a group chat and people pop things into it now and then and it’s nice to hear from everyone. I wasn’t able to go to the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards in January because I’m in Scotland and it was peaks and we were short-staffed, but I’ve seen all the pictures and I was very jealous.

Jessica’s career

When I left school, I went to college and did travel and tourism and then went on to Glasgow City College and did air cabin crew and ground operations. Following that I went to Ibiza for the summer, which was great. We didn’t make much money but it was a life experience and I would encourage anyone to go and do it. I worked with a ticket selling company, which was really hard because if you didn’t sell tickets, you didn’t get paid.

When I came home, I joined Stewart Travel and I’ve been here for about four years, the last two and a half in Kilmarnock. We sell absolutely everything, so our knowledge has to be quite wide. And after doing the Montenegro trip, I’m confident in selling it. Previously, we probably hadn’t sold much of it but a couple of colleagues have closed sales and I’ve booked people too. There’s something for everybody.