Not Just Travel appointed Hayley Patterson to a newly created BDM role earlier this month to support its Platinum travel consultants. Travel Gossip found out a little more about her, revealing her love for yoga and The Real Housewives…
I never travel without… my eye mask. Whether it’s a short flight or a long-haul adventure, if there’s a chance for a snooze, I’m taking it.
The famous person I’d most like to sit next to on a plane is… Madonna. I imagine she’d have some amazing stories to tell, although I’d have to resist asking her a million questions.
If I had a tattoo, it would be… I already have one. A Japanese maneki-neko lucky cat, which is said to bring good fortune. Hopefully, it’s bringing me plenty of luck on my future travels.
The next place I’ll visit is… Paris, in between Christmas and New Year. I’m looking forward to soaking up the festive atmosphere, exploring the city and of course, squeezing in a little shopping.
The last place I visited was… Nice, Rome, Barcelona and Portofino on a Mediterranean sailing on Celebrity Xcel. Cruising is one of my favourite ways to holiday because you get to explore so many amazing places in one trip, all while enjoying a little luxury along the way.
My most memorable travel experience was… Japan. It had been on my bucket list for years, and it didn’t disappoint. From the bright lights and buzz of Tokyo to the calm beautiful streets of Kyoto, every part of the trip was amazing. Travelling on the bullet train and trying all the viral snacks from 7-Eleven were definite highlights. It’s a trip I’ll never forget, and I’d love to go back one day.
The worst thing I ate or drank abroad was… probably a fishbowl cocktail on an 18–30 holiday in Magaluf. It seemed like a great idea at the time, but my cocktail choices have definitely evolved since then.
My bucket-list destination is… travelling on the Rocky Mountaineer, followed by an Alaskan cruise. Incredible scenery, mountains, glaciers and wildlife. The perfect combination of adventure and relaxation.
Born and brought up in… Newcastle upon Tyne. A Geordie through and through.
Live in… Newcastle upon Tyne.
The best piece of advice I’ve been given is… to stop worrying about what can go wrong and get excited about what can go right. A lovely reminder to stay positive, take chances and look forward to what life has in store.
If I could eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would be… pizza or pasta. I’m quite a fussy eater and you can’t beat a good Italian.
The thing I miss most while travelling is… my pillow. Hotel pillows are never quite the same as your own. If I could fit mine in my suitcase without sacrificing half my wardrobe, it would definitely come everywhere with me.
When I left school, I wanted to be… a fashion designer. But travel had other plans for me, and I’m so glad I followed my passion for discovering new places.
The thing I’m most proud of is… pushing myself out of my comfort zone and getting into a helicopter over Niagara Falls. I was really scared, but I’m so glad I did it. The views were incredible, and I’ll never forget it. It just goes to show that sometimes the best experiences come from doing the things that scare you most!
In my new role, I’ll be… supporting travel business owners to grow their businesses, achieve their goals and make the most of every opportunity. I’m looking forward to building great relationships and helping our travel consultants succeed.
What attracted me to the job was… the chance to get to know each travel consultant personally, understand their goals and help them grow their business in a way that works for them. Building relationships and making a real difference is what excites me most about the role.
Outside work, you’ll usually find me… watching The Real Housewives or attempting to master yoga. One is full of drama, while the other is all about finding inner peace, so I like to think they balance each other out.
The first thing I notice about a person when I meet them is… their smile. A genuine smile always makes a lovely first impression.
If I won the Lottery tomorrow, I would… book first class flights to every country on my travel bucket list. If I’m going to do it, I’m doing it in style, of course.
