Cheltenham, Travel

Why Now, More Than Ever, You Need a Trusted Travel Expert in Your Corner

20/03/2026

Why Now, More Than Ever, You Need a Trusted Travel Expert in Your Corner

by Martin Wright, Travel Counsellors

It was a real pleasure recently to present to the Cheltenham group of Cotswold Networking, sharing my journey in the travel industry and the experiences that have shaped the service I offer today.

Having been fortunate enough to visit over 60 countries, I’ve developed both a deep passion for travel and a genuine understanding of what makes a trip truly special. Whether it’s a luxury escape, a family holiday, a city break, a cruise, an adventurous exploration, or something completely unique, I pride myself on creating holidays and tailor-made experiences that perfectly match my clients’ needs.

However, beyond inspiration and planning, my role has never been more important than it is right now.

With ongoing uncertainty in parts of the world, including the current situation in the Middle East, travellers are increasingly recognising the value of having a trusted expert in their corner – someone who can provide up-to-date advice, reassurance, and 24/7 support when it matters most.

When discussing safety, I take a responsible and realistic approach. Rather than labelling destinations as simply “safe” or “unsafe,” I guide clients using a balanced framework – considering proximity to current conflict zones, political stability, infrastructure, and official FCDO guidance at the time of booking and travel. Just as importantly, I take the time to understand each client’s personal comfort level and tailor recommendations accordingly.

The reassuring reality is that the vast majority of the world remains open – and thriving. For those looking to stay closer to home, Europe continues to offer exceptional choice, from Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece to France, Scandinavia, Iceland and the Canary Islands – all with strong infrastructure and enduring popularity. You can still enjoy something truly special without leaving Europe, and many of these destinations are seeing record demand.

For those considering long-haul travel, there are equally compelling options. Destinations such as Canada, South Africa, Japan, the Caribbean, Australia & New Zealand, and the Indian Ocean remain highly sought-after and are geographically far removed – or naturally isolated – from current areas of concern.

Cruise and river cruise holidays also offer a particularly well-managed and flexible way to travel. Cruise lines are highly risk-aware, proactively adjusting itineraries, avoiding ports, and even redeploying ships well in advance if needed. Western Mediterranean and Northern Europe itineraries, alongside Caribbean, Alaska, Canada & New England and Asian voyages, remain excellent choices. Meanwhile, European river cruises along the Rhine, Danube, Douro, Seine and Rhône provide a wonderfully curated way to explore multiple destinations with ease.

However, when things don’t go to plan – or when the world feels uncertain – “DIY travel” suddenly feels very different.

If you’ve pieced together a trip across multiple websites and apps, you effectively become your own travel manager. And if something changes, you may find yourself trying to interpret airline updates, rechecking connections, contacting hotels individually, navigating complex insurance terms, and making important decisions without expert guidance. There is no single point of contact, no-one proactively reviewing your booking, and no-one aligning all the moving parts – often with limited or no financial protection if things go wrong.

A recent example highlights this perfectly. Two families due to travel to Dubai over Easter had booked their holidays through me. As the situation evolved, I guided them through the cancellation process, kept them fully updated, and secured a 100% refund for both families.

In contrast, a relative of one of those families – who had booked the same trip online – received no communication from either the airline or hotel, no advice or guidance, and remains uncertain whether they will recover their money.

That is the difference.

As a Travel Counsellor, I combine highly personal service with the reassurance of a globally trusted organisation – one that’s received over 18,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot. My clients consistently rate my service 10/10 for professionalism, care, support and attention to detail, and I am with them every step of the way – from initial ideas through to their safe return home.

Despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, the desire to travel is not diminishing. People continue to prioritise time away to reset, reconnect, and create meaningful memories. Rather than stepping back, travellers are simply making more informed choices about where they go and who they trust to arrange it. With so much of the world open and welcoming, this is not a time to pause travel plans, but to approach them more thoughtfully – with expert guidance and the right protection in place.

A Personal Invitation to Cotswold Networking Members

As a fellow Cotswold Networking member, when you are thinking about your next escape, I would love to help. Whether it’s a short break, a bucket-list adventure, or simply “we need some sun, soon,” consider this your invitation to lean on my expertise.

Let me take care of the details, so you can simply look forward to the experience.

As I said at the end of my presentation … your next adventure starts with a friendly chat.

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