Ashley Walker joined Travelsphere and Just You last month in the newly created role of Channel Support Manager, taking the brands’ UK trade team to seven. In his new role, Ashley is the operators’ main contact for group booking enquiries.
Travel Gossip found out more about him, revealing his love of cinnamon buns, his loyalty to Burton Albion and his dream of seeing the Northern Lights in Norway.
I never travel without… hairspray. No matter where in the world I’m heading, bad hair days simply aren’t on the itinerary.
The famous person (dead or alive) I’d most like to sit next to on a plane is… James Acaster. His unpredictable, quick-witted humour would make the hours of a long-haul flight fly by. I’m a huge fan of his stand-up and I feel like his unique worldview would turn even standard turbulence into a hilarious story.
The next place I’ll visit is… Dublin. I’ve been wanting to visit with my twin brother for ages. I’m drawn to cities that have a rich sense of history and lively energy. I can’t wait to wander around, listen to traditional music spilling out of local pubs, and finally sip a proper pint of Guinness right at the source.
The last place I visited was… India’s stunning Rajasthan region. It was an absolute feast for the senses that completely blew me away from start to finish. Between the grand, historic palaces and the overwhelming warmth of the local people, every day felt like stepping into another world. It’s the kind of destination that stays with you long after you’ve unpacked your bags.
My most memorable travel experience was… watching the sunset over the sand dunes in Khimsar in India with a beer in hand. It was one of those rare, completely still moments where time just seems to pause, and my photo (pictured above) from that evening has been my screensaver ever since.
My bucket-list destination is… Norway, with the added bonus of hopefully witnessing the magic of the Northern Lights. I’m completely captivated by northern landscapes and dramatic fjords, so it’s absolute top-tier bucket list material for me.
The best piece of advice I’ve been given is… Laughter is the best form of medicine. Life is always better when you don’t take yourself too seriously and find the joy in every situation.
If I could eat one thing/meal for the rest of my life it would be… freshly baked cinnamon buns. I have zero self-control around them and could easily eat one every single day without getting tired of it.
The thing I miss most while travelling is… my own bed. As much as I love boutique hotels and exploring new destinations, nowhere quite compares to a good night’s sleep in your own home.
When I left school, I wanted to be… a police officer. I love being part of a team and supporting others. I’m also a huge fan of anything crime-doc or police-themed on TV.
In my new role, I’ll be… serving as the central point of contact for group booking enquiries, while streamlining our administrative processes so our sales team can maximise their time supporting our dedicated trade partners.
What attracted me to the job was… the excitement of a whole new chapter with Travelsphere and Just You. Both brands have such an incredible heritage and an unbeatable reputation for creating memorable travel experiences.
Outside work, you’ll usually find me… at the home of football – the Pirelli Stadium. Cheering on Burton Albion is my ultimate weekend escape, no matter the weather.
If I won the Lottery tomorrow, I would… buy my ultimate dream car, a Porsche 911 GT3 Touring. I’ve already decided on every detail down to the colour of the callipers.
