Copyright manchestereveningnews
When Diana Winskill from Somerset departed the UK for a six-month placement in Majorca as a TUI representative in 1999, she never envisaged she'd still be greeting British holidaymakers 26 years later - and still adoring every moment. Whilst much has transformed in the nation and globally over the past quarter of a century, tourists' habits remain reassuringly consistent. "Brits still absolutely love their all-inclusive holidays. Knowing everything's included means they can really indulge and not worry about extra costs. And then there's bingo. Without fail, we have our loyal customers who love their bingo every evening. That's never changed in my 26 years." For the past seven years, Diana has served as a welcoming presence at one of the island's most sought-after TUI hotels, the Globales Santa Lucia, greeting and bidding farewell to hundreds of British travellers daily. "I came here when I was 23 for what was supposed to be six months. I met my English-born husband Chris here, we had two daughters, Imogen and Amelia, and I've now lived in Majorca longer than I ever lived in the UK," Diana explained, reports the Mirror . Nevertheless, Diana has observed some significant changes. British holidaymakers are progressively pursuing experiential travel, eager to engage with local culture rather than simply relaxing poolside. "Excursions to see the markets in Majorca are becoming increasingly popular. People are keen to immerse themselves in the local culture, and TUI offers a wide range of options with local guides who know the island inside out. I've also noticed a trend towards groups of friends travelling together, moving away from the traditional family or couple getaways." However, the most significant change has been brought about by technology. "The TUI app has revolutionised everything. Customers can now access all their transfer times and book experiences directly on their phones. When I first started, we manually wrote everything and phoned through excursion bookings." Despite the digital revolution, Diana maintains that personal interaction remains vital. "Welcome meetings continue to be incredibly popular. In a world that's increasingly digital, people still value asking questions and meeting face-to-face. Sometimes, there's no substitute for human contact. So, we focus on ensuring we have the knowledge and expertise about the destination to help our guests have the most memorable holidays." The adults-only Hotel Globales Santa Lucia is situated between the beaches of Son Matias and Palma Nova, offering sea views from every room and it's just a five-minute walk into town. It boasts an indoor and outdoor pool, a sociable buffet restaurant and two bars. "One customer told me she'd been back four times this year just to see me because I make her holiday so special. That's what makes this job incredible. A lot of people think we're just salespeople with a smile, but you have to be so well-rounded. We support people when things go wrong, but we're also there for the magical moments. Holidays mean so much to people". Operating from a stunning beachfront hotel with sunshine all year round certainly has its advantages. "Even in winter, the average temperature only drops to 13 degrees, and you still get the most beautiful sunshine even in the colder months. My colleagues have become my family, and honestly, working around people on holiday is infectious because everyone's so positive."
