Lisa Graham joined APT Travel Group last month as BDM for the North, covering Scotland and Northern England. Travel Gossip caught up with Lisa and found out about her Golden Doodle Bella and her childhood dream of becoming a weathergirl.
I never travel without… my DJI Gimbal. Travelling with a husband who has little interest in social media and a teenage son who finds most of what I do ‘cringe’ has meant I’ve had to take matters into my own hands. It’s become an essential part of my travels, helping me capture those special moments without relying on reluctant family members.
The famous person (dead or alive) I’d most like to sit next to on a plane is… [the late] Queen Elizabeth II. Imagine the conversations you could have with someone who witnessed and shaped nearly a century of history. I think her perspective would be fascinating. A close second would be [the late] David Bowie – the creativity, the fashion, the music, but most of all, the stories. I can’t imagine there’d ever be a dull moment.
If I had a tattoo, it would be…invisible! Mainly because I already have a couple courtesy of some questionable decision-making in Ibiza, Majorca and Tenerife many, many years ago. Let’s just say they’ve served as a permanent reminder that holiday memories don’t always need a souvenir.
The next place I’ll visit is… sailing along the Main on the beautiful Travelmarvel Rigel, exploring the beautiful cities and experiencing life on board firsthand. It’s always exciting to see a destination through the eyes of a guest, and I’m looking forward to discovering what makes this journey so special. Followed by Gdansk for a bit of Christmas market magic.
The last place I visited was… Miami and the Caribbean. It really was the perfect pairing. I fell in love with Miami’s vibrant colours, palm trees and infectious energy. Then the Caribbean, which offered the complete opposite experience, with its laid-back vibe and relaxed island lifestyle.
My most memorable travel experience was… flying over the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam in a helicopter. Photos simply don’t do it justice. The vastness of the canyon, the dramatic landscapes and the incredible views made it a truly unforgettable experience. It was one of those pinch-me moments that reminded me exactly why I love to travel.
The worst thing I ate or drank abroad was… sauerkraut. Sorry, Germany, I’ve tried. Not just in Berlin, but pretty much everywhere it’s been offered to me. I love immersing myself in local food and culture when I travel, but sauerkraut and I have never quite managed to become friends.
My bucket-list destination is… Singapore. The blend of old and new and the iconic skyline all appeal to me. And, of course, no trip would be complete without stopping at Raffles Hotel for a Singapore Sling. It’s one of those classic travel experiences I’ve always wanted to tick off.
Born and brought up in… Alnwick in Northumberland. I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in such a beautiful part of the country. Rolling countryside and some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK. Fun fact: it’s home to more castles than any other county in England. It’s also perfectly placed for my role, giving me easy access across the North of England and Scotland.
Live in… Alnwick, Northumberland. I’ve come full circle. After living in London and Birmingham, and working across many of the UK’s major cities, including Manchester, Cardiff, Basildon, Edinburgh and Glasgow, I’ve found myself back where it all began.
The best piece of advice I’ve been given is… ‘anyone can be a busy idiot’. At the end of each day, I ask myself whether I’ve genuinely achieved something meaningful or simply spent the day being busy. It’s a great reminder to focus on impact rather than activity.
If I could eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be… calzone! It’s been a firm favourite for years.
The thing I miss most while travelling is… my family, my super king-size bed and my awesome golden doodle Bella, who I rescued two years ago.
When I left school, I wanted to be… a weather girl, believe it or not. I wanted to be on TV telling everyone what tomorrow’s weather was!
The thing I’m most proud of is… my daughter, my son and my granddaughter. They might drive me to despair on occasion, but all in all they’re the best!
In my new role, I’ll be… on the road in Scotland and the North championing all things APT Luxury and Travelmarvel. Nothing fires me up more than seeing bookings coming over the line, so I’ll be helping all our existing travel partners with new ideas to get that footfall through the door, attracting new customers, converting existing customers and reigniting old customers. There’s no death by PowerPoint from me, it’s all about meeting the people and finding new people.
What attracted me to the job was… the luxuriousness of the APT Travel Group brands and the size of the portfolio, along with the mentality that comes with a family-founded and run business, polished and professional but still nimble enough to seize and create opportunities quickly.
Outside work, you’ll usually find me… in one of four places: resetting at the swimming pool, freezing on the footie sidelines cheering on my son, bottomless brunching with my husband and a close friend or ZARA!
The first thing I notice about a person when I meet them is… I’d love to say something profound here, but it’s their footwear! I started out in the world of work as a Saturday girl in Stead and Simpsons at 13 years old and I’m still obsessed with shoes now.
If I won the Lottery tomorrow, I would… start a luxury footwear brand, but from my cabana in Hawaii.
