Tayla Glasson

Tell me about your journey, how did you get to be a Hottie?

I moved overseas when I was 18 to Australia then went on to live in England and Ireland and got the travel bug while I was away. A few years later when I had returned home, I joined the opposition team but unfortunately got made redundant during covid. Once travel was back up and running and the borders opened, I contacted House of Travel Rangiora for a job opportunity - I am coming up 2 years and have not regretted it since.!

Take us behind the scenes - what does a day in your life look like?

No day is ever the same, every client and the type of holiday they are after is different. You will have phone calls, walk ins, web enquiries throughout the day so time management is a must. You are helping build an itinerary to suit their needs and budget, giving them advice and making them aware of any important details throughout their trip. The role does involve fluctuating travel regulations, tight deadlines, and managing unexpected travel disruptions also.

What advice would you give someone just starting their career or is interested in your role?

Pursue it, strive for big goals. It can be challenging but well worth it for the results you get. Having experience travelling and/ or a doing a travel course gives will give you a good insight. But training isn’t always necessary, because you learn so much while in the job.

Is there anything people don’t understand about your job that you wish they did?

The extra work behind the scenes, the errors that can happen that are beyond your control, but you do everything you can to fix them. No day is ever the same.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

The feedback you receive from clients once they have travelled, hearing about the memories and experiences they made, everything you have done for them behind the scenes is all worth it. My team environment - mistakes can happen but the support you get is amazing.

How would you explain to your friends and family what working here is like?

Challenging but rewarding.

What is it about House of Travel that keeps you coming back?

The results and my team. I have grown to have great relationships with my clients and the perk to travel is even better.

What are you looking forward to currently, in your role and personally?

To experience more of the world, to build more cliental and increase sales. The confidence you get from your customers service is a great personality trait to have.