Milestone highlights Marion Owen’s status as travel expert

08 March, 2013

A city centre travel business which sends thousands of people on journeys around the world reaches a milestone of its own this year.

Marion Owen Travel will have clocked up 20 years in June. Marion herself had 14 years’ experience before she set up the business, and there are not many places she hasn’t been.

“I haven’t been to Japan, Korea or Taiwan. They just haven’t happened for me yet,” said Marion, who heads a team of four people.

“One of my favourite places is Canada, particularly Alberta and British Columbia for the scenery, wildlife and people. It’s got everything. And my favourite city is Vancouver.”

Marion began her career with Thomas Cook, before becoming assistant manager of the AA Travel Hull office and then progressing to manager of the business.

Her current business in Portland Street, Hull, was launched in June 1993 and has a database of more than 2,000 clients. Cruise holidays have always been an area of expertise, but there is a broader offer in the Marion Owen Travel brochures.
“During the 1990s cruises became more accessible and affordable for regular holidaymakers, and now some of the ships are floating resorts,” said Marion.

“I have first-hand knowledge of more than 140 ships, some ocean-going and others cruising the great rivers. But I don’t have a favourite destination. I like different features in different places, particularly on the cultural side, and whenever I look at something I just think about whether our clients will like it.”

Cruises account for about half of the business of Marion Owen Travel, lower than in the past because of the effort to develop other areas including tailor-made holidays and group departures.

“We put together small, escorted group tours to Alaska, Canada, India, China and Burma. Once people have tried them they come again because they know it will be an adventure, but one where they will be looked after,” said Marion.

Technology is making a gradual difference to the way the business works, with email and internet playing more of a part and with plans to introduce online reservations, but most bookings are still made by phone. The company’s own coach tours, which have become a significant part of the business, cover Europe and the UK and aim to operate to the same standards as the cruises.

“I always say you don’t go on holiday to endure something that is worse than your surroundings at home,” said Marion. “And our coach tours are the closest I will ever get to retirement, although they are tiring because, whilst our clients are there for a holiday, I look after them and still keeping on top of things at the office.”

Marion’s ideal holiday is skiing, usually two trips a year, with her own experience of short breaks influencing her advice to others.

“It is very important for people to make time for a holiday,” she said.

“What we find is that someone who is in a very busy job is better having a break which is short and sweet rather than a long holiday, when you come back to a desk piled high with work and lose any benefit after just a couple of days.”

Kathryn Shillito, HullBID City Centre Manager, said: “To many people it must seem as though Marion has the dream job, but it is clear that there is a lot of hard work involved.

“To run a highly successful specialist travel business in the city centre for 20 years against stiff competition from the larger travel companies is a great achievement, and one which has put Marion herself on the map as a real travel expert.”