Tessa Allinson

Have you ever wondered what makes a great tour leader? Families Worldwide employs a variety of guides and leaders. Sometimes we use locals who have firsthand knowledge of the country and customs. At other times we send one of our own leaders whom we know will be able to look after you and ensure a great holiday for you and your family. One of these leaders, Tessa Allinson, was interviewed by Families Worldwide writer Didi Nicholson:

FWW: Why did you want to work in travel?

Tessa: I particularly wanted to work with Families Worldwide because I enjoy being with kids as well as adults and wanted to tie in my love of travelling with working with children. I'm training to be a teacher, so this fits in really well with my holidays.

FWW: When did you get the travel bug?

Tessa: On my Gap Year I had a round-the-world ticket and visited Asia, Australia, Fiji and the Cook Islands and finally ended up in the USA working at Camp America. Now every free moment I have I'm off somewhere new.

FWW: Where are your favourite places?

Tessa: Places I love the best and have been back to include Slovenia, Asia, Venice and Australia.

FWW: What languages can you speak?

Tessa: I speak German and am pretty good in Italian, Spanish and French.

FWW: What hobbies do you have?

Tessa: Surfing and walking, singing and story-telling.

FWW: What's your advice for anyone wanting to be a tour leader?

Tessa: You need a passion for travel and a willingness to learn about other cultures.

FWW: Any funny stories?

Tessa: When I was working in a summer camp in America with a Welsh girl, one of the American kids came up to us and said "You're both from the same place but you sound different." My friend explained that she was from Wales and the boy replied "Oh, I've been swimming with dolphins!"

FWW: Many thanks Tessa

One of our clients recently wrote the following letter to us:

Dear Mark
I have just returned from the High Atlas trip to Morocco, with my partner and two young children. I thought that you would like to receive impartial confirmation that your selection of Tessa Allinson as a Tour Leader was extremely sound.
Tessa, although arriving only a day before us, quickly mastered the local situation, researched assiduously and managed the local guides effectively and with a competence belying her youth. Equally Tessa was effective in being able to create space for acting as a willing teacher and focal point for the children.
In many ways, Tessa made the trip for the children, as well as providing some space for my partner and I. Though we have already made our arrangements for this summer I would be very interested to hear of any other appointments that you might have for Tessa in the following months and certainly next year.
Bright, capable and enthusiastic, Tessa is, in sum, an excellent representative for Families World-Wide.
Kind regards
Howard W
Managing Director