Holiday reps are vitally important to an all-inclusive holiday. Not only do they make sure you’re looked after, they entertain the kids, keep things running smoothly and help when something goes wrong.
The job looks like it would be a dream come true – jetting off from gloomy Britain and spending the summer surrounded by sun, sea and sand. But, it’s not really like being on a 24/7 holiday.
Former travel rep Camille Plews, 39, from North Yorkshire – who posts on Instagram @camilleplews – worked for Thomas Cook when he was in her early 20s. She claims that her time working in Ibiza wasn't always as glamorous as it sounded.
REAL LIFE: 'I was a holiday rep in Ibiza – it's not the glamour and partying you see on TV'
Thankfully, her time in Majorca left her far happier – and she even wishes she’d gone back. She lived with four other reps on the sunny island and got to go out in Magaluf and Alcudia.
Camille told Daily Star about the best parts of the job. She explained: "My AS-Level in Spanish helped me to get Majorca for my first placement. The best part of the job was being with my repping family, getting to know reps from other tour operators too, guiding excursions, having a laugh at the airport.
"Palma airport is huge; Saturday was a big airport day with the most arrivals. I'd have two airport runs a week – Tuesday and Saturday where I'd guide the coach full of passengers to the airport (collecting at various hotels on route) for their departure and collect a coach full of arrivals to take back to resort.
"I loved the party night and mini disco even though I had to dress up in a hot, sweaty Baby Pom outfit [a character] every other week…
"We used to have to get changed in a store cupboard and it was so hot walking round in that outfit, kids climbing on me and cuddling me; trying to hold onto the head while other reps are jokingly trying to punch it off; it was such a laugh. I also loved meeting new excited holidaymakers and doing my tour speech about the island on the transfer coach."
She added: "In Majorca, we had Thursday afternoon and Friday off to do whatever we wanted: beach, waterpark, nights out, midnight swimming in the sea – anything! There were many perks too such as having the reps card in Alcudia and Magaluf which entitled you to free entry into the clubs and half price drinks, free entry to the waterpark and pirates adventure. I was able to experience so much more Majorca.”
Plus, Camille had her favourite guests too. She explained: "[My favourites were] ones who'd come and have a chat and a laugh with me in the hotel. A slightly older couple kept buying me drinks from the bar.
"It was a rule that you weren't allowed to drink a pint in Thomas Cook uniform, however, you were allowed half pints if bought from a guest as it's polite to accept; so they would turn up to my desk with loads of half pints. I loved guests like that."
To get to her job, Camille says that flights and accommodation were provided. She noted: "In Majorca, I lived in a house with four other female reps. I had a ground floor single bedroom which was nice and modern."
Sadly, Camille left holiday rep-ing after her time in Ibiza left her burnt out but regrets the move. She admitted: "I lost the momentum and love for repping a bit from working in Ibiza, I came home, got a job and a boyfriend and stayed in the UK. In hindsight, if I could go back, I'd have put in for a transfer back to Majorca and stayed repping for longer; working there was amazing."
For anyone thinking of taking up the rep ropes, she added: "Embrace it and appreciate every minute. Perhaps start putting money aside a few months before because the wage is rubbish.
"Luckily I was placed in two half board hotels which I was allowed to eat in. A lot of reps had self catering apartments to look after and lived on pot noodles.
"Being a holiday rep was one of the best experiences of my life. In hindsight I'd have done it for longer, but so glad I did it when I did. For anyone thinking of doing it; just do it! Have an open mind, repping will change you."
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