OUR TOUR MANAGERS

Here at Grand UK Holidays, we effortlessly combine personal service and experience with our delightful Tour Managers.

These incredible individuals make the difference between a trip and a memorable holiday, making it their mission to ensure that you have the very best time away with us.

Many of our Tour Managers have been working for Grand UK Holidays for a number of years, so know our coach tours inside out, which works in perfect harmony with their bubbly personalities, which all ensure you have a fantastic holiday.

Our Tour Managers really are the heartbeat of the business and it is their passion and enthusiasm that provides you with fond memories for years to come.

Why do we have Tour Managers?

It’s to provide comfort for and the enjoyment of our passengers, from organising activities to breaking the ice and helping you all make the most of your holiday.

They are simply the best in the business. We hand-pick these extra special people because of their passion for people and places; they are the heartbeat of our coach holidays, a smiling face, a helping hand and always a listening ear.

Every year we receive thousands of wonderful comments singing the praises of our dedicated Tour Managers, and if you’ve travelled with us before then that won’t come as any surprise.

On our river cruises, local hosts will be on board to welcome you, leaving you in the great care of our experienced coach tour drivers on the journeys to and from the ship.

Our Tour Managers and River Cruise Hosts turn a great time into a truly magical and memorable holiday experience.

WENDY

How long have you been a Tour Manager with Grand UK?

2 Years + ‘odd tours going back 10+ Years’

What do you love most about being a tour manager at Grand UK?

I love meeting people & interacting with them – also seeing people happy and relaxed and making sure they get the most out of their holiday with GUK

Top destinations and why?

Scarborough, a lovely area and location
Weston-Super-Mare & Longleat safari, loved all aspects
Torquay Treats/Torquay Vintage England, interesting tour
Blackpool liked the tour

Favourite memory of being a Grand UK tour manager?

Being on tour in Lynton & Lynmouth on the 70th anniversary of the floods Meeting great people

What are your hobbies outside of work?

Reading
Dressmaking
Knitting
Gardening
Cooking

NATHAN

How long have you been a Tour Manager with Grand UK?

1 Year

What do you love most about being a tour manager at Grand UK?

My career began as a courier on coaches for another coach holiday company aged just 16. Stepping back on that coach made my heart beat again, being back where I belong. Being with Grand UK is a dream come true and a wonderful team to be with.

Top destinations and why?

2024 has been my first full year working for Grand UK and I’ve really enjoyed doing the singles tours and getting everybody involved. I look forward to going to many more places in the next year and beyond.

Favourite memory of being a tour manager?

my favourite memory so far of that tour would be dressing up for the quiz I set up, to see all the passengers smiling faces

What are your hobbies outside of work?

Cycling
Being a Father
Travel -Music -Singing
Keeping fit/active
Photography
Spending time alone/ a bit of me time

CHRISTINE

How long have you been a Tour Manager with Grand UK?

11 Years

What do you love most about being a tour manager at Grand UK?

Meeting new people and being able to enhance their holiday, also visiting new places and doing research/planning.

Top destinations and why?

Isle of Man, a beautiful island & meeting the locals who are so proud to live there
Warner Holme Lacy Hotel, is a great hotel with a sense of grandeur, lovely gardens and enjoyable days out
Austria is just my favourite country!!!
Holland, The Keukenhof Gardens are just wonderful
Bournemouth, a great hotel, never any problems, lovely food, good days out, easy access to the prom and an indoor pool!

Favourite memory of being a Grand UK tour manager?

Taking the Wraysbury group to Holkham Hall on Oct 19th 2023. I rang the hall earlier that day when I realized that they were closing early that day. They responded and said our visit would not be affected, I told them that this group was special! We had an amazing time. Then all of the ’outside’ staff lined up along the drive to wave us off. We felt like Royalty. “A perfect day.”

What are your hobbies outside of work?

Gardening
Singing
Walking
Volunteering
Knitting

JACKIE

How long have you been a Tour Manager with Grand UK?

25+ Years

What do you love most about being a tour manager at Grand UK?

I love meeting people and I enjoy listening to their stories

Top destinations and why?

The Isle of Wight has such a lovely pace of life
Blackpool, illuminations for the fun atmosphere
Potters Hopton, as I know the area very well.
Eastbourne is, a lovely genteel seaside resort
Bournemouth, Close to the lovely new forest & interesting cities

Favourite memory of being a Grand UK tour manager?

I had the pleasure of introducing a couple of strangers who had to sit together. They got on well and I met them a year later and they were inseparable. -I also took a man to the national arboretum, he laid a wreath as he was in Burma. Very moving

What are your hobbies outside of work?

Travel
Country music events

RON

How long have you been a Tour Manager with Grand UK?

15 Years

What do you love most about being a tour manager at Grand UK?

Meeting people out and about

Top destinations and why?

Eastbourne is, a really flat lovely garden
Bournemouth has plenty of places to visit
Torquay, nice weather

Favourite memory of being a Grand UK tour manager?

Meeting great people

What are your hobbies outside of work?

Tourism
Motorcycles
Armchair!

SHARON

How long have you been a Tour Manager with Grand UK?

1 Year

What do you love most about being a tour manager at Grand UK?

You get to meet some lovely people and make new friends

Top destinations and why?

Llandudno/ White heather hotel, is a lovely place to visit & really nice staff with lovely food
Bournemouth/ Riviera hotel, love the days out on the train and boat around the Harbour
Liverpool, love going down the cavern and doing the Beatles tour
Ireland, the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula are amazing
Scotland, the highland hotel up the road from the castle with stunning views

Favourite memory of being a Grand UK tour manager?

My first Christmas away from the family. I wasn’t sure about it but I had the best Christmas for a very long time

What are your hobbies outside of work?

I love decorating and I do my own day trips to theme parks

EMMA

How long have you been a Tour Manager with Grand UK?

11 Years

What do you love most about being a tour manager at Grand UK?

I love seeing new places and meeting new and regular customers, seeing them enjoy their holidays. Sharing my love of coach travel with them is the most rewarding part of being a tour manager

Top destinations and why?

Isle of Man, both Victorian & Manxman
Northumberland, Alnwick, Lindisfarne etc.
Channel Islands,
Jersey & Guernsey
Scotland, Highlands
Yorkshire, Whitby

Favourite memory of being a Grand UK tour manager?

Loved my tours to the Isle of Man, this has been the highlight of my career. Laughing with the driver and having banter (?) with the customers.

What are your hobbies outside of work?

Travel
Reading historical novels
Putting together my own website and brochures for my own company. Not much spare time, but love my life!

SUSAN

How long have you been a Tour Manager with GUK?

Approximately 20 Years

What do you love most about being a tour manager at GUK?

I find the company very caring toward tour managers and of course, the clients

Top 5 GUK destinations and why?

Europe, because most of my 40-year career has been working in Europe. My heart and soul are there.
The UK, I Particularly like; The Lake District, Scotland, Ireland, Dorset
Lakes, Liverpool & The River Lune were also enjoyable and a lovely mix of places to visit

Favourite memory of being a Grand UK tour manager?

Bringing happy clients back to the interchange after their holiday

What are your hobbies outside of work?

Walking and various keep-fit.
But travelling really has been my life

KAY

How long have you been a Tour Manager with Grand UK?

Since 1992

What do you love most about being a tour manager at Grand UK?

Making a difference to people and creating happy memories. Researching the history and culture of different areas, to provide interesting and pertinent commentary

Top destinations and why?

Isle of Wight, lived there 17 years & know it well.
North-West Scotland, the history of the area is fascinating

Favourite memory of being a Grand UK tour manager?

When passengers say ‘you made my holiday’

What are your hobbies outside of work?

I’m a Morris musician
I play the melodeon

ROBIN

How long have you been a Tour Manager with Grand UK?

13 Years

What do you love most about being a tour manager at Grand UK?

I love meeting new people (and the regulars) and showing them around the UK and Ireland. Using anecdotes and stories to illustrate and illuminate my tours

Top destinations and why?

Ireland, the views and the people
Isle of Man, A warm welcome always
Scotland, spectacular scenery
Weymouth, a fun tour
Yorkshire, I love the railways

Favourite memory of being a Grand UK tour manager?

Christmas 2017, Me & My Driver entertained the group after lunch with comedy and music.

What are your hobbies outside of work?

Walking football
Running
Karaoke
Writing my tour manager biography
Hats

DAVID

How long have you been a Tour Manager with Grand UK?

Approximately 10 Years

What do you love most about being a tour manager at Grand UK?

Being able to introduce people to different areas of the country

Top destinations and why?

Weston-Super-Mare, as it is my hometown
Torquay, as it is also in the west country

Favourite memory of being a Grand UK tour manager?

Making people happy on a tour

What are your hobbies outside of work?

Walking
Travelling

Come and Join Us!

Our Tour Manager escorts are the heart and soul of everything we do. If you think you have what it takes to help our clients turn holiday plans into life long holiday memories, have a passion for travel and for high levels of customer service, we would love to hear from you.

Email us today to hear more about opportunities to join our team of brilliant tour managers.

Please Contact: Robert.Barrett@theukholidaygroup.com

TOUR MANAGERS YOU CAN TRUST