Good morning, everyone. As I stand here today, I can’t help but think about how much our industry has changed. You see, I started working as a travel agent back in 1973, and the world of travel was completely different then.

In those days, every high street had at least one travel agency. Our office was a warm, friendly place with colorful brochures covering the walls. We used to spend hours arranging them perfectly to catch people’s eyes. Customers would come in, sit down with a cup of tea, and we’d help them plan their perfect holiday. Everything was face-to-face back then – that personal service was what made our job special.

I remember writing out handwritten tickets for every booking. Can you imagine that today? We didn’t have any computerized reservation system – everything went into big paper files. Sometimes I think about my old colleague Margaret, who used to say that her arm would ache after writing tickets all morning!

Package holidays were becoming really popular in the 1970s. People used to get so excited looking through the brochures. They would often visit us three or four times before making their final decision about their accommodation. We would sit with them, understand their needs, and make sure everything was perfect.

Just last week, my grandson Tom showed me how he booked his holiday on his phone in less than five minutes. While I understand that technology makes things easier, I sometimes miss those days of real human connection. Sarah, one of our modern travel agents, told me she hardly ever meets her clients in person anymore.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m amazed by how far we’ve come. But I believe we’ve lost something special along the way. Those days of sitting with customers, sharing their excitement, and planning their dreams together – that was the real magic of being a travel agent.

When I look at our industry today, I can see both good and bad changes. Yes, booking is faster and easier now. But sometimes I wonder if we’ve traded too much of that personal touch for convenience. Perhaps there’s a way we can bring back some of that old-fashioned service, even in our digital world.