Cover Stars: Kieran Marshall celebrated Idle Travel’s 40th anniversary on VIP trip

The Bradford agent tells Samantha Mayling about enjoying the scenery and cuisine on his first trip to Montenegro – along with the VIP treatment from Jet2holidays

Q. Why did you enter the competition?
A. This is our agency’s 40th anniversary year, so I wanted to fly the flag for Idle Travel. I am proud to work for this family-run independent agency. We also won Jet2holidays’ top-selling agency from Leeds Bradford airport at their 2023 conference. I submitted a video, showing me holding a Jet2holidays brochure and a copy of Travel Weekly, which I read every week. When I got the call to say I’d won, I thought it was a scam. It didn’t sink in until two weeks later, when my name was published.

This is our agency’s 40th anniversary year, so I wanted to fly the flag for Idle Travel. I am proud to work for this family-run independent agency

Pictured: Kieran overlooking Porto Montenegro

Q. Tell us about the VIP treatment
A. It started in Manchester, with fast-track through security, which was followed by a relaxing vibe in the airport lounge. Tivat airport is quite small, so when we arrived in Montenegro, we passed through passport control and baggage reclaim really quickly. We took a short private transfer to Budva. When we reached the Iberostar Slavija, we were upgraded to junior suites, with views of the mountains, beach or Budva. It was a luxurious room – bigger than my living room. We went for a late lunch at a waterfront restaurant in Budva Old Town with greatviews. Our group of 12 had its own tour guide, who soon knew all our names and what drinks we liked, and recommended places to go.

When we reached the Iberostar Slavija, we were upgraded to junior suites, with views of the mountains, beach or Budva

Q. What were Jet2holidays’ staff like?
A. They had a big presence at both airports. On the return flight from Tivat, our terminal was swapped – but the other terminal didn’t have many facilities after security. The Jet2 customer service staff advised us not to go through until we needed to and told us about a nice cafe in the airport grounds. Back in Manchester, they were really helpful. Some people say reps are a thing of the past, but I’ve had quite a  few customers ask about reps.

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Q. What did you do and see?
A. We had dinner in one of the oldest restaurants in Montenegro, Kod Pera na Bukovicu, and experienced different cuisines in each restaurant we visited. The food was beautiful and great value for money. We were there for three nights and packed a lot in. We visited four and five-star properties including the luxury Chedi Lustica Bay, which has a perfect setting by a marina. There were egg-cup chairs hanging from the reception ceiling, which gave it a classy feel, and a patisserie, which was ideal for me. The highlights were a boat trip to our Lady of the Rocks and a visit to Kotor Old Town. The scenery was beautiful. The old towns are traditional with small businesses and locally sourced produce, so it felt authentic.

[My photoshoot] was on the third day, on the way up to the national park. The sun was out so you could see for miles, with mountains and hills as a backdrop

Q. Tell us about your photoshoot
A. It was on the third day, on the way up to the national park. The sun was out so you could see for miles, with mountains and hills as a backdrop. I hate having my photo taken but Steve Dunlop, the photographer, was so reassuring. I like taking pictures of things – but not of me.

Pictured: Kieran with Laura Donald at The Chedi Luštica Bay hotel, Montenegro

Q. How did you get on with the other agents?
A. They were amazing. We clicked from the minute we met. We’re still in touch via WhatsApp. We were a wide range of ages, and all learned from each other. We went to the Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards in January. It lived up to its expectations and more. I had an amazing night. Our table was in a prime location by the stage, at the heart of the ceremony. Jet2holidays hosted us like royalty and put us up in a hotel overnight.

The destination has the best of beach and culture, and is good value for money compared with other Med hotspots

Q. Have you sold Montenegro since your return?
A. I’ve recommended the resorts that I visited and we’ve sold a lot more Montenegro holidays. If people ask about the resorts, I show my photos and videos, so they can get a feel for them. The destination has the best of beach and culture, and is good value for money compared with other Med hotspots. It’s a bit different from the usual short-haul resorts.

Pictured: Kieran with Richard Lowrey-Heywood (left) and Luke Nicol at Iberostar Slavija

Kieran’s travel career

I started at Idle Travel as a Saturday boy five years ago. After leaving school, I went full time. Those five years have just flown by. I am now senior sales consultant. We can sell anything, because – between us all – we have experienced most destinations. We help each other.

We take it in turns with fam trips, or swap if someone needs to go somewhere they haven’t been.

Pictured: Kieran overlooking the bay of Kotor

We mostly sell departures from Leeds Bradford airport, followed by Manchester, and more Liverpool too.

I work with my mum, Sarah Hill, who has been here 14 years. People always say never work with your family but we get on great 

We are in the Morrisons shopping complex in Bradford. I work with my mum, Sarah Hill, who has been here 14 years. People always say never work with your family but we get on great here and at home.

My first fam trip was with Constantinou Bros to Cyprus in April 2022 as the Covid restrictions eased – and Montenegro was my second.