Hello, I'm Emma, the Sales and Operations Manager at Rory’s Travel Club, and I'm approaching my one-year work anniversary this month. The past 12 months have been a whirlwind as I've been immersed in behind-the-scenes activities, getting involved in the business's expansion alongside Rory, and enhancing the experience for our members. Although my time with RTC is relatively short, my history with Rory extends beyond this year; we previously worked together in a different company several years ago, and rejoining forces now feels a bit surreal when reflecting on our journey.

A significant portion of my role involves supporting Rory and the rest of the team. Much of my week is dedicated to customer service, where I handle our most significant administrative task—responding to emails. Additionally, I manage sales and initiate contact with new accommodations to secure exclusive offers for our members, collaborating closely with Rory. This aspect of my role aligns well with my sales background, and I genuinely enjoy chatting with people on the phone. Fortunately, promoting Rory’s Travel Club is a breeze, as the benefits are evident to accommodations from the get-go.

One of the most rewarding perks of working for a travel company is the opportunity to embark on exciting journeys. This year, I had the privilege of participating in some of our group trips, both within Ireland and abroad. A standout moment was our visit to the Lady Gregory Hotel for a smaller group trip over Easter, where we explored a part of Ireland I hadn't visited since childhood. Our stay at the hotel, complete with leisure facilities, included a side trip to Father Ted's House, where we had a bit of craic recreating the infamous scene of Ted kicking Bishop Brennan up the arse! Another highlight was meeting THE Matchmaker from the Lisdoonvarna Festival who happened to be a friend of a member on the trip and in the area. I think we all left that night with stomach pains from the laugh we had hearing him regaling us in his tales of romance in Ireland. 

My favorite international group trip took me to Agadir in Morocco in November, where over 50 members were on the trip. Traveling with a diverse group allowed everyone to find like-minded companions for various activities. The trip's highlight was a traditional Moroccan dinner and show with 10 other members, providing a captivating experience of local culture. Morocco left a lasting impression, and I'm eager to explore more in the future.

Looking ahead to 2024, I'm excited about Rory’s Travel Club's ambitious plans and anticipate another incredible year filled with exciting opportunities. I can't wait to travel more and already have Vietnam and Bali booked from the offers we sent out during the Summer so hopefully might bump into a few of you who also have them booked or else on another group trip or two!