A TRAVEL expert helping people to embark on their dream holidays - Denise at Brilliant Travel is Trader of the Week.
Denise O'Connor is a personal travel adviser who works from her home in Poole to help people plan and book their holidays.
The 49-year-old first launched ‘Brilliant Travel’ in January 2020- a business backed by her years of experience within the travel industry.
Denise told the Daily Echo: “I’ve worked in travel since I was 16. I worked for Bath Travel, Thomas Cook and Hays Travel.
“Thomas Cook went down, but I’d worked for them for the majority of my career- so 20 odd years.
“I pride myself of my customer service, and I’ve got good knowledge of the world.”
But while Brilliant Travel was quick to take off, the business was hit badly with the arrival of the Covid pandemic.
Denise said: “I started my business in January 2020 and then the pandemic hit in March 2020.
“It went from nothing to something, and then from something to nothing again.
Luckily, Denise found she was able to keep her customers with free travel advice, and by moving any holiday bookings rather than cancelling them altogether.
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She also found extra work at Sainsbury’s in Talbot Heath during the pandemic and managed to balance her time between the two jobs.
The situation at Brilliant Travel is now said to be “much better”, with holiday goers back reaching out to Denise for their dream trips. She is also recommended by a number of wedding venues in the area as the go to travel agent for honeymoons.
Denise said: “I just kept looking forward rather than focusing on the pandemic.
“People are back travelling all the time, and people are spending money. They’re not just doing a Spain holiday, they’re perhaps going to Mexico with their family. They’re taking advantage of travelling again.
“I like seeing people go on holiday and have a really nice time. Then they come back, give you good feedback and book with you again.”
To book a holiday with Denise, visit her Facebook page.
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