When gold travel counsellor, Paula McClumpha, says that “it’s going to be a tricky summer” for travellers, there is only one crumb of comfort – she’ll be by our side throughout it.
Paula has been travelling most of her life and for the last 12 years, she’s been helping OTD to do the same.
From South Africa to South America, she has managed thousands of flights and hotel bookings, so that our business coaches can get to where they need to be.
“Travel has always been in my blood but I mainly love looking after people,” she explains.
“When I first bought my franchise (with global travel agent, Travel Counsellors), I was introduced to OTD by a colleague who was leaving the industry.
“I met Andy and Chris and I loved it from day one. My business has grown with OTD’s ever since.”
Paula was a project manager in a former career and those skills have served her well. Take a recent example: Chris Cummins was delivering a session in Dubai but had to head straight to Basel, Switzerland for another engagement. There was no direct flight. In stepped Paula.
She says: “We had to get Chris to the nearest destination by air and make sure that he could connect to another form of transport.
“It’s a huge potential loss for the business if he doesn’t make it, so you have to be responsive. I can’t solve everything, much of it is completely out of my hands, but I can put a plan in place and think outside the box.”
Paula points out the pain that the pandemic has caused to the travel industry, exacerbated in Europe at least, by Brexit.
Rising costs, lengthening queues and a speight of cancellations mean that Paula’s role has never been quite so crucial. Although self-employed, she’s backed by a large Group with direct support whenever she needs it, meaning that team OTD has a travel specialist available 24/7.
“I’d much rather that coaches contact me than arrange travel themselves,” she adds.
“Quite often it’ll be more cost effective and I can help to solve any problems if they arise. Most of the time if an airline has an issue, they have to pay for it – I will put the claim in and chase it up.”
Paula once accompanied us on a global trip. As much she enjoyed it, it isn’t an experience she plans on repeating any time soon!
“I went to Bangkok and Dubai with OTD and it was absolutely exhausting. The energy you put in is incredible!”