About Val
After over 40 years in this incredible industry I still find that it has the ability to excite me when planning holidays. The anticipation of the event can play a major part in the overall enjoyment of this experience, and this is something that I am keen to share with my clients.
My life in travel began in my home town in Scotland during the summer break between school and university when I accepted a summer job with Caledonian Airways at Prestwick airport. Little did I realise that this would become the basis of my working life when I emigrated to Australia along with my family later that year.
Following a few years as a medical receptionist I commenced my career in the travel industry. Many different travel occupations followed including retail, wholesale, group travel, airline consolidation, and eventually co-owning my own agency in Claremont for 6 years. In 1992 I decided to return to Scotland for family reasons and was able to renew old friendships, make many new ones, and enjoy the benefits of working in the UK travel industry. This enabled me to travel extensively around Europe and the UK and also to explore the many islands of the Caribbean in the winter months. Cruising was extremely popular in Europe and in my last position as Manager of a large specialist cruise agency I was able to organise and escort several group cruise holidays.
After returning to Australia in 2005 I have continued to work in retail travel and regain my knowledge of the local market while expanding my knowledge of the expanding cruise industry.
I have often been asked by clients to name my favourite destination, however, there are really too many to choose from and they have all served a purpose for leisure, sightseeing, history or activity so here are a few of my many favourite experiences over the years. African safaris in South Africa, Zimbabwe and the Falls, Tanzania and Namibia, a crazy driving holiday in Sicily, family villa in the South of France, the Canadian Rockies, Bermuda, Barbados, Boston and Martha's Vineyard, Spain and Portugal, the Italian Lakes and Cinque Terre and numerous shopping trips to Florence, Rome Milan and of course Paris. Cruising the Caribbean on the Star Clipper, Seabourn, Crystal and Silversea and Cunard in Mediterranean, Baltic and Norwegian Fjords and European River Cruises.
I now find that MTA can offer me the ability to look after my clients in a more leisurely manner over a coffee or phone conversation or email at a time and place more suitable to you, and I really do look forward to helping you achieve your most enjoyable and stress free holiday experience.
Previous experience
Australia – Western International Travel, National Australia Bank Travel, Concorde and World Aviation, Jetset, Bayview Travel, Northline Travel, Bicton Travel and Alpha Travel.
Scotland – 3 years in the World Travel Centre of Thomas Cook and 10 years Kenneth McLeod Travel as Manager.
Areas of specialty
Cruising in all areas, individual tailor-made itineraries, and family holidays.
