Where it all started.....1998

So many of you ask me how I got into Travel, grab yourself a cup of coffee, and I’ll tell you all about it.

Taking you back to 1998….back where it all began. Fresh faced, just finished college, a newly passed driving licence and a whole new world to explore.

I attended Runshaw College and studied leisure and tourism for 2 years. It was here that my spark for travel was ignited. I started my first ‘proper job’ as a travel agent for Going Places in Preston at the age of 17 – and what a job it was. Who remembers going into a Travel agent to book their holiday straight out of the brochure? Those were the days!

Having never been abroad before, I was like a sponge – I could not believe how much of the world there was to see. I still remember my very first booking - it was a coaching holiday!

I went on my first ever holiday that same year and have never looked back. My eyes were fully open, and my mind wanted more! I was hooked! I loved my job and knew I wanted to travel the world!

After working my way up to Assistant Manager at Going Places, and winning Assistant Manager of the year, I moved to First Choice as the Assistant Manager, moving up to Manager and eventually opening my store in Burnley a few years later in 2004. It was a dream come true. I later moved back to Preston to become the Manager of the Holiday Hypermarket on the Deepdale Retail Park.

Sadly, in 2007, my father passed away suddenly at the age of 49, and my world came crashing down! This event led me to follow my childhood dream of becoming a Primary School teacher (something he had always encouraged me to do)

Whilst training to become a teacher, I worked part-time at my husband’s coach company, and it was here where I learnt to drive a double-decker bus - I have always loved a challenge.

I was in education for 12 years and loved being a teacher and working with children. To have such an important role in so many young people’s lives, helping them flourish and grow, is something special - BUT I still have that little boggle, and something kept pulling me back to travel.

Having booked all my holidays with Designer Travel, I became good friends with my travel agent. I saw firsthand just how much they cared about their clients‘ holidays, and their passion and love for travel shone through. I was so inspired and realised I had to follow my heart!

I spoke with Amanda Matthews - the Managing Director of Designer Travel - and I knew there and then I just had to become part of this incredible team. So, in December 2019, I left my career in education behind (or so I thought) and ‘Designer Travel by Emma Buckle was born. I was over the moon and loved it! I was doing a job I loved.

However, little did I know what was around the corner with COVID in 2020 (seems like a lifetime ago now, really since all the isolating, social distancing and toilet roll shortages!!). My business was just getting off the ground and the. It all stopped! I decided to go back to teaching whilst still trying to build up my business at the same time.

I was very, very lucky to find an incredible little school where I worked part-time for the next 3 years. The staff, the children, the parents, it was brilliant! As things began to return to normal and as I got busier, I started to struggle juggling the two jobs, so I had to make a difficult decision to put my business first! In 2022, I left education for the last time and threw myself into my business.

I’m now coming up to my 6th year with Designer Travel, and my only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. I am always learning and constantly attending training courses to keep myself up to date and on top of the ever-changing world of travel.

Last year, 2024, I was able to introduce you to my amazing assistant, Jan, who worked 4 hours a week with me, checking my clients in, doing all my API and passport information, sending out my VIP emails and much, much more. I really couldn’t manage without her.

I now have so many wonderful clients who book with me year after year, and I’m super proud that 90% of my business is repeat business and recommendations – so THANK YOU!

Last year, I had over 900 clients travel with me! WOW! From a weekend in Spain to a Bucket list trip to Australia and everything in between.

I really couldn’t do what I do without you. Thank you for putting your trust in me to look after your holidays!

Emma x