Diana Winskill, from Somerset, has lived in Majorca for the last 26 years, having moved to the Spanish island with her husband and kids to work as a TUI holiday rep
When Diana Winskill from Somerset left the UK for a six-month stint in Majorca as a TUI rep in 1999, she never imagined she’d still be welcoming British holidaymakers 26 years later—and still loving every minute.
While a lot has changed in the country and the world over the past quarter of a century, holidaymakers’ patterns are pleasingly regular.
“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 been a friendly face at one of the island’s most popular TUI hotels, the Globales Santa Lucia, welcoming and farewelling hundreds of British travellers each day.
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“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,” said Diana.
However, Diana has noticed some major shifts. British holidaymakers are increasingly seeking experiential travel, wanting to immerse themselves in local culture rather than just lounging by the pool.
“Excursions to see the markets in Majorca are getting much more popular. People want to get out and experience the local culture they’re in, and TUI have so many to choose from with local guides who know the island back to front. I’ve also noticed a rise in friendship groups travelling together, moving away from the traditional family or couple getaways”.
However, the biggest transformation has been technology.
“The TUI app has revolutionised everything. Customers now get all their transfer times and can book experiences directly on their phones. When I first started, we wrote everything by hand and phoned through excursion bookings.”
Yet despite the digital revolution, Diana insists that face-to-face contact remains crucial.
“Welcome meetings are still incredibly popular. In a world where everything’s going digital, people still love asking questions and meeting in person. Sometimes you just cannot replace human contact. And so we focus on ensuring we have the knowledge and know-how of the destination to help ensure our guests have the most memorable holidays.”
The adults- only Hotel Globales Santa Lucia is located between the beaches of Son Matias and Palma Nova, meaning there is sea views from each room and it’s just a five minute walk into town. It features an indoor and outdoor pool, and 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”.
Working from a beautiful beachfront hotel with year-round sunshine certainly has its perks.
“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.”