Your Stories: Travel Circle manager David Cookson on 30 years in travel

David Cookson, manager of Travel Circle in Longridge looks back at his career and tells Samantha Mayling why he’s taken up triathlons

Q. How did your travel career begin?
A. I started in 1994 as a Saturday boy at Thomas Cook in Preston. When I left school in 1995, they kept me on a Youth Training Scheme. It’s thanks to watching Michael Palin in Around the World in 80 Days that I wanted to see the world and work in travel. Thomas Cook had a good training scheme. We were sent to Peterborough [head office] for a week, and by the time we returned, we could serve customers at the age of 16. After about a year I moved to an independent agency: Steps Travel in Longridge, near Preston. As an independent it was a breath of fresh air, because I could sell anyone. Fifteen years ago, it was taken over and closed, so I moved to Travel Circle, down the road.

It’s thanks to watching Michael Palin in Around the World in 80 Days that I wanted to see the world and work in travel

Q. What is the agency like?
A. Longridge is a small town in a close-knit farming community in the Ribble Valley – it’s an affluent area. We sponsor sports teams, such as the local cricket club, as well as charities, and in September we’re taking part in Longridge’s fundraising soapbox derby. Travel Circle is a family firm that has been going for 25 years.

Owner Mark Delaney works in the branch, and we have a team of seven; it’s like a little family. We’ve just got Charlotte Degnen back, who left when Covid hit, but we need extra bodies as we’re so busy. We want to recruit someone who’s ready to go, but it’s hard to get quality staff now – a lot left the industry during the pandemic. We all have our strengths. I’m the airline geek and very competent selling cruise, plus we all chip in to help each other’s enquiries. Also, we’re part of Midcounties Co-op consortium, so they’re always there if we need back-up.

We sponsor sports teams, such as the local cricket club, as well as charities, and in September we’re taking part in Longridge’s fundraising soapbox derby

Q. How did you work during Covid?
A. Mark had a plan straight away. We worked from home for five weeks, then most of the team were furloughed, but Mark and I were in the office, getting battered, like the rest of the world. But since then, business has boomed – people realise the value of a travel agent. If you’re embedded in the community, and you know people for years and years, they realise what you can do. People like to know there is a human being, any time of day, and it makes a huge difference.

If you’re embedded in the community, and you know people for years and years, they realise what you can do

Q. Have you made any unusual bookings?
A. One of my quirkiest is a client travelling this Christmas to the Seychelles, then New Zealand and back via Taiwan. And I’ve just confirmed a £30,000 booking to Canada for a family that want to spend time together. People are scared to book themselves; they need that support of someone who knows how to do it right. On the day after TV travel shows with celebrities, you know you’re going to get asked about those. The biggest for us was Race Across the World.

On the day after TV travel shows with celebrities, you know you’re going to get asked about those. The biggest for us was Race Across the World

Q. What about your own travels?
A. We love cruising and city breaks, and last year I went to Vietnam on a fam trip with Gold Medal, Incredible Journeys and G Adventures – it was amazing. I sailed with Norwegian Cruise Line in 2018 as I was a Travel Weekly Cover Star. It was a great experience – the food and service were amazing.

I sailed with Norwegian Cruise Line in 2018 as I was a Travel Weekly Cover Star. It was a great experience – the food and service were amazing

Q. What trends are you seeing?
A. Lots more families are going long-haul – they may come in looking at the Canaries and end up booking Thailand because it works out cheaper and people want experiences. We’re seeing more young clients – they may have got burnt during Covid with online bookings – and we’re getting groups of lads and girls going on adventure holidays.

We’re not seeing the impact of the cost of living – locally, we’re very lucky. We do some Facebook advertising and window displays but most sales are from word-of-mouth recommendations. It’s quite a traditional agency, with face-to-face customer care. From the minute they walk through the door to the minute they return from holiday, we’re with them every step of the way. We know everyone by name. Travel is in my blood. I love the variety and being part of someone’s dream trip – we sell that dream.

We do some Facebook advertising and window displays but most sales are from word-of-mouth recommendations

Tell us about your sporting achievements

I have been cycling and running for several years. I used to compete for Great Britain in long-distance duathlon events. That kept me busy for a few years and then I just started doing it for fun. More recently, I’ve been doing marathons and I’ve just done my first triathlon. It was held at Horwich near Bolton and included a 500m swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run up and down Rivington Pike – it was a great experience. I enjoy keeping fit, and always say it keeps me sane. I raised money for the charity Mind at the event because last year and the year before I struggled with my own mental health. Currently, I have raised almost £1,000. Friends, family and the NHS helped me to get better. A lot go through it and people are talking more about it. I’m not ashamed of it – I got through, so now it’s my time to try to help others. Mind works so hard, so I thought that if I could fundraise for a charity that people recognise and then maybe contact, that’s the way to help.