Barrhead Travel Managing Director Nicki Tempest-Mitchell can’t say no to a charity challenge and loves her hometown of Blackpool. Travel Gossip sat down with her to find out more.
I started working in travel 36 years ago. My first job was on a Youth Training Scheme (YTS) at Lunn Poly in my hometown of Blackpool when I was 16.
It was my best friend’s dad who got me into it. He used to own stalls on Blackpool Promenade. I was working for him and one day he said, “What are you going to do as a job?”. I said I didn’t know and he then said: “I’ve got a job for you”, and walked me round to Lunn Poly, where he went to book his own holidays. He introduced me to the manager and the rest is history.
I absolutely love travel. There is no industry like it. Friends tell me their jobs are dull, so I feel very lucky.
I remember one incredible fam trip when I was in my 20s, to Scottsdale, Arizona. We went to Canyon Ranch [luxury wellness resort] and did some amazing things there such as horse riding in the desert and sitting around a fire pit. It was so special – but I probably didn’t appreciate it as much as I would do now. To go to Canyon Ranch now would be the dream.
I also went to Kenya on safari to Tsavo East and Tsavo West. I was lucky enough to see the ‘big five’, but not so lucky when we had to camp, as I have a fear of spiders.
I still live in Blackpool. It’s my hometown and I’m proud. You can go and have a real fun night out and the people are the salt of the earth. I don’t think I’ll ever move – my friends and family have kept me there. As I have grown up, I go to the seaside town of Lytham St Annes more, as it has nice beaches and some lovely shops.
I officially started as Managing Director at Barrhead Travel on 1 January this year. I have had the most amazing support from Jacqueline [Dobson, President of The Vacation Group which includes Barrhead Travel]. I know if I ever need her, she is always there. I probably haven’t told Jacqueline this, but she just inspires me every day.
I am a bit of a daredevil, so I do some mad things for charity. I’m not naturally fit and I always said to my husband, Lee, that there is only room for one fit person within our relationship, so I let him have that and I do the charity things!
In 2023 I got challenged by Lucia Rowe [UK Managing Director for A-ROSA Cruises] to do the Race to Stones event for Reuben’s Retreat.
I thought it was a 50km distance over two days and said to myself: “That’s okay.” When I then got the email, it said was a 100 km over two days! I had to do lots of training for that – around three months – but I completed it. It was probably mentally and physically one of the craziest things I have done, but so worth it and I raised £2,700 for charity.
This year I was asked to do a skydive in the Lake District for Reuben’s Retreat again. I’ve not got a fear of heights, but jumping out of a plane was not something on my list of things that I really wanted to do. The worst part was when your legs are almost dangling out of the plane before you jump. I won’t do it again, but it was incredible once the parachute went up.
In the industry I really admire Jo Rzymowska [former Vice President and Managing Director of Celebrity Cruises EMEA]. I was fortunate enough to work for her for nine years at Royal Caribbean. Jo pushed me to realise some of my skills that I didn’t even know I had. And Azamara Cruises CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler can just can lighten up your day. No matter how you’re feeling, you just listen or speak to her for one minute and you feel instantly motivated. She is just a very, very special lady.
Looking ahead to holidays, I’d love to go to the Maldives. It’s my daughter’s 21st birthday next year so I think that’s what we will try and do. And I’d love to go to Antarctica on an expedition at some point.
Cruise or beach holiday? Cruise.
Text or talking? Talking.
Cats or dogs? Dogs. I have Maltese called Milo.
Red or white wine? Can I go rosé? Red for winter and rosé for summer.
Snakes or spiders? Neither, I am petrified of both.
