Meet The Member - Rebecca of Travel Counsellors
Rebecca of Travel Counsellors
We caught up with Rebecca, a local Travel Counsellor and member of both We Are Harpenden and We Are St Albans, to hear about her journey from corporate finance to creating bespoke, financially protected travel experiences. With a highly personal, one-to-one approach, Rebecca designs tailor-made holidays and corporate travel for clients seeking stress-free, thoughtfully planned journeys across the world.
We are happy to have you as a member of both We Are Harpenden and We Are St. Albans! Could you tell us a bit about your journey - what did you do before becoming a Travel Counsellor, and what inspired you to start creating bespoke holidays and corporate travel?
Thank you for having me as a member! Before becoming a Travel Counsellor, I worked in London in accountancy and corporate restructuring. It was a fast-paced career, but travel was always my true passion, and I was constantly the one planning trips for family and friends.
As I approached my 40th birthday, I began planning a milestone trip to Africa. During that process, I spoke to a travel agent whose passion for what she did was infectious. When she told me she had joined the industry at 50, it really resonated — if she could do it at 50, I could do it at 40. That conversation was the turning point, and I have never looked back.
You offer fully tailor-made, financially protected trips ranging from luxury beach escapes and African safaris to multi-centre adventures across Japan and Europe. What do you find most rewarding about designing these personalised journeys for your clients?
I love turning an idea or wish list into a seamless, well-balanced trip that genuinely fits the client. No two clients travel the same way, and understanding how they want to experience a destination is what makes my role so rewarding.
Adding thoughtful details — from the right room choice to unique experiences — really elevates a trip. Knowing clients can travel with complete peace of mind thanks to full financial protection is equally important, especially for once-in-a-lifetime holidays.
Running your business locally, what do you enjoy most about serving clients in Harpenden?
I really enjoy the sense of community. Many of my clients are people I meet through schools, local businesses, sports clubs and networking groups, which creates long-term relationships built on trust.
Clients value having someone local who understands their needs and is always on hand before, during and after their trip. Being able to combine global travel expertise with a strong local connection is what makes working in Harpenden so special.
Your approach is very personal, no call centres, one point of contact from planning to return, with 24/7 support. What values or principles guide the way you provide such a high level of service?
Trust, attention to detail and genuinely caring about my clients’ experience are at the heart of everything I do. Travel is often a significant investment, so people deserve a service that feels personal, responsive and reassuring.
Being a single point of contact means I understand every element of a booking from start to finish. In addition to my own support, clients also have access to a 24/7 UK-based call centre in Manchester, so there is always help available — even if I happen to be asleep and you’re on the other side of the World! This combination gives clients real peace of mind and ensures they are never on their own while travelling.
You also manage corporate travel for local businesses. How do you balance the needs of business clients alongside those of families and leisure travellers, ensuring everyone receives a seamless experience?
While the trips themselves may differ, the principles remain the same: efficiency, reliability and clear communication. Corporate clients value speed and flexibility, while leisure clients focus on experiences and comfort. By understanding each client’s priorities and using strong systems and trusted suppliers, I’m able to manage both seamlessly without compromising on service.
Travelling can feel stressful for some people. How do you help clients feel confident and reassured, whether it’s their first trip abroad or a complex multi-destination itinerary?
Clear communication and careful planning make all the difference. I talk clients through every stage of their trip so they know exactly what to expect before they travel. Every client has access to the myTC app, which allows them to view all of their travel documents at the touch of a button. For more complex itineraries, everything is carefully planned and clearly documented, and combined with full financial protection and 24/7 support, clients can travel with real confidence and peace of mind.
With destinations and travel trends constantly evolving, how do you stay up to date with the latest information, experiences, and industry developments to provide expert guidance?
Ongoing learning is a key part of my role. I regularly attend industry training, supplier events, webinars and conferences, and I work closely with trusted destination partners worldwide. I also travel frequently myself, which allows me to offer first-hand advice rather than generic recommendations.
Looking ahead, are there any exciting destinations, services, or experiences that you’re particularly keen to offer your Harpenden clients?
There’s growing demand for experience-led travel, including safaris, expedition cruises, and multi-centre trips. Clients are increasingly looking for more immersive journeys, such as travelling with private guides, meaningful cultural experiences, and responsibly managed wildlife encounters.
Multi-generational travel is also on the rise, with families keen to bring grandparents, parents and children together for memorable trips. Alongside this, sustainable and conscious travel is becoming increasingly important, with many clients wanting to ensure their holidays support local communities and protect the destinations they visit.
For people who’ve never used a Travel Counsellor before, what would you say sets you apart from larger agencies and why they should consider booking through you?
The biggest difference is personal service. When clients book with me, they deal directly with one person from start to finish — not a call centre or a different consultant each time. I take full responsibility for every booking and am on hand before, during and after the trip.
Because I have access to a huge range of suppliers, I’m completely impartial. I can book anything from an EasyJet holiday or cruise, to a luxury safari, Disney trip, bespoke multi-centre itinerary or even round-the-world flights. I’m not tied to selling one product or brand, which means I can go out to the wider market and source the best holiday for each individual client, based on what matters most to them — not what suits a brochure.
Every trip I design is tailor-made, backed by 100% financial protection, and often includes experiences, routes and accommodation that aren’t easily found online. My role is to save clients time, remove stress and add real value, while creating holidays that are completely personal and carefully thought through.
When you’re not planning incredible trips, where are your favourite local spots in Harpenden to relax, recharge, or find inspiration for your next journey?
When I’m not planning trips, you’ll often find me walking in Rothamsted Park or along the Nickey Line with my Australian Labradoodle, Skye, or cheering on my two boys at Colts football. I also spend time at Marchon — it’s where I go to switch off, reset and attempt to stay fit.
I play tennis too (not as consistently as I’d like!), and making more time for that is definitely a goal for 2026. With two young boys, those moments of fresh air or exercise are a really important way for me to recharge.
I also love catching up with clients over a cup of tea, and in the evenings I’m just as happy unwinding with friends over good food and a glass of wine. These everyday local moments are often where I relax, reset and find inspiration for the trips I create for my clients.
Finally, please tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I recently climbed Mt Toubkal - the highest mountain in North Africa for charity! What an incredible experience and one I will remember forever!