Tales of a Travel Agent

In this deeply personal and powerful episode of Tales of a Travel Agent , Becky finally tells her story. From being bullied at school, to becoming a senior librarian nerd, to living and working in eight different countries , Becky opens up about a decade spent as a professional nanny for high-profile families, travelling the world, living a life most people never see… and constantly being asked “w...

We’re kicking off the new year by heading to the coldest, wildest corners of the planet as we’re joined by Akvile , co-founder of the Expedition Cruise Network , to talk all things expedition cruising . From her unexpected start in the travel industry to spending a decade at Silversea, Akvile shares how expedition cruising went from a niche product to one of the fastest-growing sectors in travel —...

From Antarctica to Mexico, Becky and Jake catch up on two very different trips — one involving icebergs, penguins, polar plunges and a life-changing expedition, the other featuring sunshine, butlers and all-inclusive luxury. Becky shares why Antarctica completely blew her mind (and mildly traumatised her), while Jake explains how Mexico has officially ruined normal holidays for him. Along the way,...

It’s the most wonderful (and chaotic) time of the year, because Becky’s birthday and Christmas collide into one glorious celebration. In this very special episode, Jake turns the mic firmly onto Becky as they celebrate all things Bex – whether she likes it or not. Expect birthday messages, questionable gifts (including a Grow Your Own Boyfriend ), a quiz designed to humble even the most confident...

n this episode, Becky and Jake catch up on December life, the quiet weeks before peaks, and plans for their upcoming consumer travel show. They read a new listener email that sparks the idea of a “Becky vs Jake” itinerary challenge — and put out a call for any suppliers brave enough to host it. Becky talks through her recent trip to Egypt, including visiting the pyramids, exploring Cairo, and what...

This week, we’re joined by Bruce from Travel Gossip. We dive into how a tiny Facebook group became one of the most chaotic, powerful and downright addictive corners of the travel industry. From fam trip scandals to keyboard warriors, from award nights to who’s on the amber list … we get into it all. We play This or That , talk about what really happens behind the scenes of the trade, and Bruce fac...

It’s the 1st of December, and Becky and Jake are getting festive—well, sort of. From the realities of being a travel agent during the quiet pre-Christmas lull to budgeting tips (and confessions of blowing it all), this episode dives into the highs and lows of the holiday season. Jake reveals why big ship cruising just isn’t for him, Becky shares a wild story from her days cliff jumping with strang...

This week, Becky and Jake are back with another hilarious mix of travel tales, rants, and revelations! Becky kicks things off with her latest book obsession before the pair dive into flight frustrations — from kids without headphones to people yanking on the seat in front. Jake shares a side-splitting story about accidentally smuggling a tin of beans through airport security, and Becky reveals how...

Becky and Jake are back with another laugh-out-loud episode of The Becky Show , diving headfirst into the realities of expat life and what it’s really like living abroad. From dodgy drama teachers to expat horror stories, the duo share personal tales, play an airport code guessing game, and swap mind-bending travel trivia. Expect chaos, candid confessions, and some truly wild stories—from hostel l...

In this week’s episode of Tales of a Travel Agent , Jake and Becky are joined by the incredible Claire Brighton , Head of the Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers (ATAS) . Known as the “Queen of Adventure Travel,” Claire shares her fascinating journey from failing her A-levels to leading one of travel’s most exciting sectors. The trio dive into everything from the growth of touring and a...

This one lives up to the name. Jake and Becky kick off with a hotel horror that turns from sleepless night to full-blown x-rated chaos before diving into travel agent life — from refund nightmares and quoting tools to the hidden costs of subscriptions. Expect rants, revelations, and way too many jokes about nuts. Oh, and a wild uni trip story that proves Becky’s lived about nine lives. It’s explic...

In this hilariously chaotic episode, Becky and Jake kick off with some unexpected compliments, supplier shoutouts, and a chat about why Jetset deserves more love. The duo debate airport-themed travel shops (bad idea), the future of group travel, and why travel agents should be thinking like influencers. Jake shares his upcoming BBC radio appearance to talk work uniforms, while Becky recounts a ter...

In this laugh-out-loud episode, Jake and Becky dive into everything from The Devil Wears Prada 2 to near-death “fun,” ethical safaris, and why conservation isn’t always what it seems. Becky shares her latest book obsession, her run-in with Tanzanian police (and a suspicious roll of cash), and a terrifying standoff with a London fox. Meanwhile, Jake admits to a newfound fear of flying and rants abo...

A listener email sparks a big conversation about how to choose the right host agency — from spotting MLM-style traps to finding genuine support and community. Plus, the rivalry continues with an all-important poll: Who would you rather travel with — Becky or Jake? It’s a fun, unfiltered, and laugh-out-loud look at travel life, industry truths, and total nonsense in between. Hosted on Acast. See ac...

In this episode, Becky returns from the Expedition Cruise Network Conference with wild stories — including being dragged on stage for The Price is Right to win a £22k Antarctic cruise cabin! Jake and Becky dive into the collapse of Classic Collection and share what really happened while Jake was in Marbella with the team when the news broke. The pair also tackle the upcoming Entry/Exit System chao...

We're back with a jam-packed episode! Jake and Becky celebrate six months of the podcast with plenty of laughs, rants, and travel chaos. From Ryanair’s brutally savage tweets to low-cost airline disasters, baggage claim frustrations, and why people STILL can’t remember their seat numbers — we cover it all. Becky shares a wild story from Bangkok involving a ping pong show gone very, very wrong 😳,...

In this jam-packed episode, Jake and Becky dive into the world of ski holidays — from beginner-friendly slopes to luxury resorts, insider tips on selling ski packages, and why travel agents shouldn’t be afraid of the jargon. They also discuss the rise of niche travel markets, including a fascinating listener email from a U.S. agent helping plus-size travellers navigate cruises, theme parks, and th...

In this episode of Tales of a Travel Agent , Jake and Becky are back with a jam-packed catch-up full of cruise adventures, fam trip chaos, and hilarious industry stories. Becky shares tales from her luxurious Windstar yacht experience, complete with endless food, cliff jumping, and a passport mishap, while Jake reflects on his villa getaway and why he’s officially “done” with all-inclusive resorts...

This week, Becky and Jake are joined by their very first guest — Lorna Willis Edwards from TIPTO! 🎉 Get ready for a jam-packed episode as Lorna shares her 29-year journey in the travel industry, spills insider secrets about planning epic events, and reveals the wildest requests she’s ever had (yes, someone really only eats chips and bread!). From hotel horror stories and tips for networking to wh...

In this week’s episode of Tales of a Travel Agent , Jake and Becky dive into wild travel tales, bizarre customer requests, and incredible adventures around the world. Becky shares her authentic trekking experience with the Hmong people in Vietnam’s Sapa Mountains, spills the secrets behind Tanzania’s Maasai tribes, and gives her review of the jaw-dropping book The White Masai . Plus, the Fake News...

This week, we dive into everything from manifestation myths and goal setting to ridiculous client requests (yes, someone really complained about too much sea mist 🫠). Jake shares his full journey into the travel industry — from his early Thomas Cook days to becoming CEO of The Good Travel Agent — and Becky has plenty to say about Below Deck, dating apps for travel pros, and customers who want Wim...

Becky and Jake dive into one of the biggest questions for new travel agents—should you have a niche from the start, or keep things broad? They share their top do’s and don’ts for beginners, debate the role of social media and referrals, and give honest advice on building confidence in the industry. Plus, listener questions spark some lively discussion, Becky reveals her wrecking-ball bar story, Ja...

It’s been a week of pure travel mayhem, and Jake and Becky are here to unpack it all. From chasing down a last-minute villa request for a Monday departure, rescuing stranded holidaymakers after an airport shutdown, and juggling urgent seat bookings from the side of the road, to frantically packing for cruises and family getaways – it’s peak travel agent chaos. But that’s not all. The pair dive int...

This episode is an unfiltered rollercoaster—from deep chats to laugh-out-loud chaos, Jake and Becky cover it all. Kicking off with a candid talk about mental health and why a flat tyre doesn't mean a bad day, things quickly veer into darkly hilarious territory when Becky reveals Jake is now listed in her "death document." (Yep, really.) As always, the duo dig into the wild world of travel. Becky s...

This week’s episode is a wild ride through the highs and lows of travel life — from red carpet recognition to flat tyres and collapsing wardrobes. Becky kicks things off with the full, unfiltered story of how she took home a prestigious CLIA Master Award (yes, she’s now officially award-winning ), complete with a surprise announcement, hair commentary from strangers, and a near miss with a gravy-s...