Matt | Best At Travel

Overview
FAQ
Recommendations

I started out in travel at my uncle’s high street agency in Essex, where my days were filled with stamping brochures and discovering the nuts and bolts of the industry.

In 1990, I moved to a flight-only specialist in London before finding my true passion in the luxury holiday market - a far cry from the £99 Airtours packages we sold back in my uncle’s shop!

Q&A with Our Expert Matt

How many years have you worked in the travel industry?

38.

Which destination/s do you specialise in?

The Middle East and Indian Ocean.

What's at the top of your bucket list?

I'd love to go and see the Ryder Cup in America!

Why do you love working in travel?

I've made lifelong friends during my journey in the travel industry, and not just colleagues - clients also! Selling people's dream holidays is an amazing feeling, and I love it when clients call me on their return to tell me all about their incredible experiences.

What's your best childhood holiday memory?

I remember going to Majorca with my parents aged around five. They’d explained to me what a tiny island it was and I remember worrying how our plane was going to land somewhere so tiny!

What was your best ever trip?

A family holiday to the Maldives with my wife and kids, then aged 15 and 13. I was lucky that I’d been there before, but watching their faces light up in the seaplane and then exploring the island together on bikes and snorkelling with baby sharks made such great memories.

Where would you describe as a secret gem?

The Gili Islands in Indonesia, which is a group of three stunning islands boasting superb beaches and out-of-this-world snorkelling.

What was your most awe-inspiring moment?

Diving off the Great Barrier Reef in Australia - it was an experience I’ll never forget!

What's the one item you always take with you?

A good book! (and if travelling to Dubai…some booze from Duty Free!)

What is your top travel tip?

Live the dream and travel as much as you can, health and wealth permitting.

Biggest blunder abroad

I recently left a reasonably expensive watch at the airport whilst going through airport security!

My Top Recommendations

What's your favourite destination and why?

Maldives. I've been lucky enough to visit both with work and on a family holiday and am blown away with the natural beauty and tranquility every time. It's the perfect place to de-stress and get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

View DESTINATION

What was your most recent work trip?

Qatar. It's a really interesting destination; it's easy to compare to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but is totally unique from those places. I really got a good understanding of the place during our trip and I'll definitely go back with the wife at some point.