I think the biggest thing to influence me was to go traveling. When I was 29 I decided to leave Ireland as I wasn't unsatisfied with the direction of my life there and went solo backpacking around Europe without a real plan. I had limited savings so knew that I would have to volunteer in exchange for somewhere to sleep and for meals. This forced me into new situations that I wouldn't have ever dreamed of doing before and brought me out of my shell and increased my confidence. Eventually I ended up in a co-working space and helped to host the remote workers there who also rented rooms. I became a local guide, showing guests the hidden gems of Lisbon—everything from secret music venues and food spots to the best places to enjoy sunsets and beers. This experience ignited a passion for hospitality and human connection.

I realised it was something that I really enjoyed so then I moved on to working in a hostel where I got promoted to manager while my boss went back home to the States for a few months. I really loved this level of responsibility, the interactions with people from all the world, helping them to create memories, and it awoke a spark in me.

I ended up in Switzerland, met my now husband and we ended up converting a van into a camper and travelled for two years full time. This was also an eye-opener as I got to see another way of traveling from a whole new perspective.

My biggest supporters are my boss and my husband. My boss has an incredible amount of confidence in me, always encouraging me to take on new challenges and pushing me to dive deeper into the workings of the company, even when I have doubts or uncertainties. His belief in me has been a constant source of motivation.

My husband, on the other hand, is simply proud of me and he regularly reminds me of this, and his support gives me a lot of strength.

My sister got me this job, as it was a simple administrative role and was perfect to do from home while I took care of my mother, and she thought it would be a good fit. My boss was looking for someone to work a few hours a week to do the background work so he could focus more on expanding the company. It all fell in to place very naturally.

A typical day in my role involves a variety of tasks, starting with answering emails—most of which contain routine questions, though some require more time and research to respond to properly. I gather the necessary information to update itineraries for the drivers, handle bookings and payments, communicate with the drivers, and set up WhatsApp groups between clients and their drivers. I also pass on relevant information to my colleagues, keep files up to date, and upload completed itineraries to the website for booking.

During peak season, the workload intensifies, and figuring out priorities can be a bit overwhelming at times. My to-do list often feels endless, which can be stressful as it never seems to reach a point of completion. Additionally, keeping my work phone on 24/7 and constantly monitoring my email, especially in case of last-minute changes or flight delays, means that even during my downtime, I’m never fully switched off. It's a balancing act, but one that comes with the territory of the role.

I see my main responsibility as handling as much of the background work as possible, allowing my boss to focus on creating bespoke itineraries for clients. This way, he doesn’t have to worry about the operational side of things. I also take care of customer service before the clients land in Ireland and meet their driver, ensuring they arrive feeling at ease, knowing that everything has been taken care of. My role is to provide that sense of security and smoothness so the clients can enjoy their experience from the moment they arrive.

The main challenge for me is that there’s never really a true "off day." It’s a difficult role to set clear boundaries between work time and personal time and finding that balance can sometimes be exhausting. It can be hard to fully switch off.

That said, I wouldn’t necessarily say anything has stretched me in a negative way. I genuinely enjoy learning and embracing new challenges, and I find that they motivate me to grow and improve in my role.

That is a simple one to answer, the feedback we get from clients, knowing that we have provided them with an unforgettable tour. It is a really satisfying feeling.

Honestly, I don’t think there is anything that I don’t enjoy.

I strive to provide a high level of customer service. It also requires a lot of organization, multitasking and sometimes patience. I think another big asset that I bring to the company is, recognizing that visiting a new country can feel a little scary, and I do my best to put clients at ease.

I am maybe not the best person to ask this, as I am a school dropout. My life experience has been the biggest thing to influence me to go in this direction, as before I was always a little bit lost, and now I have found my passion.

I completed my Junior Cert a long time again. Most recently I have completed a TEFL course and ICDL. I am currently in school part time improving my German as I am back in Switzerland and this is important for my integration here.

CDL has been invaluable to me as we work a lot with Excel. Everything else with the booking systems, I have learnt a long the way.

My boss’s confidence and support have been incredibly meaningful to me, especially when he promoted me to Tour Manager. His belief in my abilities has played a key role in my growth and motivation. This is a significant personal milestone.

That I always strive for perfection. It’s a little bit of a cliché answer but it is one of my biggest personal motivators.

I think I have found it.

My job offers the flexibility of working from home with adjustable hours, which provides me with a level of freedom that a traditional office job can't match. I have the ability to set my own schedule, and if I need to take an hour off for an appointment, I can easily do so. This flexibility fits perfectly with my lifestyle, allowing me to step outside and enjoy the fresh air whenever the sun decides to make an appearance. Achieving a healthy work-life balance is incredibly important to me, and having this freedom allows me to maintain that balance and prioritize both my personal well-being and professional responsibilities.

Working in tourism requires dedication and hard work, it can be exhausting at times. However, if you're committed to providing the best possible customer experience, the effort is worth it. It's not a field for the faint-hearted, as it demands resilience, adaptability, and passion.

Great organisational skills.

Being able to multitask.

The time zone difference!

When something more is needed, I am more than happy to participate in course to upskill.

I believe that having experience in a customer service role is a significant advantage. Clients aren’t always straightforward, and being able to navigate and resolve issues effectively is a valuable skill. It’s something that has helped me handle unexpected situations with confidence.

Tour Manager at 'About Ireland Taxi Tours'