Carly Graham has moved into the newly created Key Account Manager role for the London Gatwick catchment for TUI. Travel Gossip found out a bit more about her…
I never travel without… my make-up bag. I like to feel put together wherever I am, whether I’m heading to the beach, exploring a new city or enjoying a night out. A little bit of glamour always comes along for the ride!
The famous person (dead or alive) I’d most like to sit next to on a plane is… the late Dolly Parton. Between the humour, the stories, and the wisdom she’s picked up along the way, I don’t think there’d be a dull moment from take-off to landing.
If I had a tattoo, it would be… my son Stanley’s name. I can’t imagine anything more meaningful. Although as a proud TUI fan, a TUI logo might have come a close second… only joking!
The next place I’ll visit is… Malta for Defected, the electronic music festival. I’m really looking forward to a few days of sunshine, great music and making memories with friends. It’s the perfect combination of holiday and fun.
The last place I visited was…Cyprus. It’s one of those places I never get tired of visiting, with beautiful weather, great food and the perfect opportunity to switch off and recharge.
My most memorable travel experience was… getting married in Turkiye 14 years ago. We had more than 50 friends and family there to celebrate with us, and having everyone together in such a beautiful setting was incredibly special. It’s a trip filled with memories I’ll treasure forever.
The worst thing I ate or drank abroad was…calamari. I absolutely hate fish but somehow convinced myself it looked like an onion ring and gave it a try. I instantly regretted that decision.
My bucket-list destination is… the Maldives, staying in an overwater bungalow with crystal-clear sea views. Ideally, Tom Hardy would also be there serving as my personal butler.
Born and brought up in… Surrey. I’ll always have a soft spot for it and have lots of happy memories growing up there.
Live in… Windsor, which is a fantastic place to call home. It’s a beautiful town with plenty going on and is a great place to raise my son. Plus a great local pub.
The best piece of advice I’ve been given is… always look for the positives in any situation. Life can throw all sorts at you, but focusing on what you can learn or be grateful for makes such a difference. Life’s simply too short not to.
If I could eat one meal for the rest of my life it would be… a chicken shish kebab. I never get bored of it and it’s always my go-to choice if it’s on the menu.
The thing I miss most while travelling is… a proper cup of tea. No matter how amazing the destination is, nothing quite beats a good British brew.
When I left school, I wanted to be… an actress. I loved the idea of performing and being on stage. Maybe that’s where my confidence and love of talking to people comes from.
The thing I’m most proud of is… my son, Stanley. Watching him grow into such a wonderful little person and seeing him develop his own personality makes me proud every single day.
In my new role, I’ll be… building strong relationships with our trade partners, representing the TUI brand out on the road and helping agents grow their confidence and sales. I’ll be working closely with partners to showcase everything TUI has to offer, providing support, sharing updates and helping deliver fantastic holidays for customers. It’s a role that’s all about people, relationships and bringing the TUI story to life, and of course having lots of fun along the way.
What attracted me to the job was… I’ve always been incredibly passionate about TUI, so the opportunity to spend my time out in the trade, meeting agents and promoting a brand I genuinely love felt like a dream role. It combines everything I enjoy, from building relationships to sharing my enthusiasm for travel.
Outside work, you’ll usually find me… standing on the side of a football pitch cheering on Stanley, whatever the weather. If I’m not there, I’ll probably be spending quality time with friends and family, making the most of every opportunity to be together.
The first thing I notice about a person when I meet them is… whether they’re friendly. A warm smile and a genuine personality can make such a difference and immediately put people at ease.
If I won the Lottery tomorrow, I would… book the ultimate luxury holiday for all my friends and family so we could make incredible memories together. And of course, it would have to be with TUI. After that, I’d probably never stop travelling.
