Turning your passion for travel into a lifelong career

David has travelled extensively throughout Europe, North, Central and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific so is in the perfect position to give advice on the travel industry.

How did you get in to the industry?

I loved travelling and from that I got in to travel journalism.  Eight years ago I set up Bridge & Wickers with Jerry Bridge, a Director of the company as a specialist Australia and New Zealand tour operator and we gradually expanded into Canada and then the South Sea Islands. The Ultimate Travel Company bought us and we are now under their umbrella.

What is the biggest challenge of your role?

Making sure the clients have the holiday they want.  We’re not selling what we want to sell – we very much listen to what they tell us and that’s the achievement.  The challenge is fulfilling those expectations.

What’s your advice for a person looking for a career in travel?

You have to be passionate and know what role you want in the industry.

Some people have the illusion that if you work in travel you get to see the world and travel yourself but that’s not the case; some roles do have the opportunities to see the world but you usually have to work towards them.

Most people who work in travel have usually experienced the world in some way, whether it’s a big holiday or a gap year travelling, I think you have to have seen parts of the world to be passionate about travelling.

What qualities do you look for in employees?

The main need is for consultants. Yes, they have to be able to sell a holiday, they are in sales.  Most importantly, however, they are providing a service.  It’s a combination of listening and selling, it’s not hard to sell but you have to make sure you are selling the right thing to the right person.  Being a team player is also a necessity.  Most companies are split into teams so being part of a team and getting on with others is key. You are all working towards the same goals so you have to support each other. Apart from that, I’d be looking for passion. I’d expect them to know about the area they’re selling – the seasons, the best places to go, the general need-to-know information.

What are your top three tips to be successful travel journalist?

Read travel publications and the travel sections in newspapers. You need to know every publication’s target audience and writing style.  If you get a job or an interview for a publication you should already know everything about it.  Make sure you are professional and detailed.  If a publication only has 1,000 word articles, don’t submit 2,000.  When proposing ideas to an editor, make sure you give a detailed proposal.  The editor needs to know why your idea will benefit their reader and why they need to know the information you’re giving them.

Has your education and degree helped you get where you are today?

Nobody has ever asked me if I have a degree at any point but education is something in its own right.

Once you have achieved a degree you feel like you can achieve the world.  I think it helps with life skills and confidence.

David Wickers was Chief Travel Correspondent on The Sunday Times for 17 years and was voted Travel Writer of the Year three times.