Devon-based Abi Giles, a Personal Travel Agent at Co-operative Travel, part of Midcounties Co-operative, booked 59 members of a local rugby club on a group holiday to Cyprus for October half-term next year.

The trip to Paphos was confirmed on 6 November with easyJet Holidays and landed Giles the largest sale of her travel career.

She joined Midcounties Co-operative’s PTAs on 11 November last year after her 15-year career with Thomas Cook ended when the company collapsed.

“I was absolutely buzzing when it all was confirmed. It’s such a massive boost and to come at a difficult time like this makes it even more special,” she told TTG. 

Giles had been approached by a coach at the rugby club after he found her website online.

“He said he hadn’t had much luck when dealing with other agencies in our area so came to me to see if I could help.

“What I love about being a homeworker is being able to adapt to working around my family life with my kids, but being able to suit the customers needs too and really get to know them.

“The support I received from the team at PTAs was brilliant and I managed to get things all confirmed in two weeks.”

Impressed by her service, the rugby team booked. Giles said she is optimistic of more opportunities to work with the club again on future trips.

“They were telling me that they usually go away every few years and the next trip being talked about is to South Africa in 2023. That just makes me even more determined to look after them and hopefully this is just the start of things.”