A Bartlett-area travel profesional has just returned from a prestigious summit in Scotland.
Barbara May of Travel Leaders at 2865 Wolf creek Parkway, Suite 104 (the Bartlett/Cordova location) was one of just 75 U.S. Travel Leaders who received an exclusive invitation to attend the industry’s invitation-only 16th Annual International Summit.
This travel industry meeting allowed attendees to fully immerse themselves in the host city and surrounding area.
Barbara May, along with other Travel Leaders attendees, convened April 25-27 at The Balmoral – one of Rocco Forte’s most distinguished, legendary luxury properties that’s equidistant from Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of Great Britain’s Royal Family.
“Scotland is not usually the first destination travelers in Memphis, Tenn., think of when considering a trip across the Atlantic either to the UK or Europe. However, it should be. I found Scotland — and the city Edinburgh — to be a truly fascinating blend of Old World charm and modern cosmopolitan flair, plus the Scottish people were very welcoming,” May noted. “To have this opportunity to experience Edinburgh as few others do, will allow us to truly provide expert guidance to our clients. Because of my participation, we now have even more local connections and first-hand expertise in order to provide an incredibly memorable experience to any of Memphis’s travelers wishing to experience Edinburgh and Scotland.”
This marks the first International Summit May has attended. While in Edinburgh, May was treated to private tours of Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town, along with the famed Royal Yacht Britannia — which was the royal yacht of the British monarch from 1954 to 1997. The attendees also had lunch at St. Andrews 18-hole golf course, along with immersive experiences at Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, and the picturesque Distillery of Glengoyne. Attendees were feted like royalty during a closing gala event at Edinburgh Castle — complete with authentic Scottish tartan kilts for the men and beautiful Scottish sashes and brooches for the women.
“Edinburgh is both a historically significant city — as evident by its ranking as a World Heritage Site — and a very vibrant, cosmopolitan city within greater Europe,” explained Roger E. Block, CTC, President of Travel Leaders Franchise Group. “In selecting it as the venue for our 16th International Summit, we wanted to provide our Travel Leaders members with an insider’s look at a destination that their clients may want to consider as an add on to a trip to London or an options for those who want something different within the United Kingdom. Edinburgh has a personality and flavor that is all its own and one that will captivate many of our members’ clients.”
May also enjoyed pre-tour options provided by Globus and visited Scottish destinations as Glasgow, Inverness and St. Andrews.
Previous Travel Leaders International Summits have already been held in London (2000), Hong Kong (2001), Paris (2002), Barcelona (2003), Budapest (2004), Dublin (2005), Rome (2006), Dubai (2007), Berlin (2008), Santiago (2009), Jerusalem (2010), Sydney (2011), Dubrovnik (2012), Cape Town (2013), and Istanbul (2014).
