A better kind of travel with Tess Stuber - Travel Counsellor

With a personal passion for travel and an innate desire to share wonderful experiences with others, Tess Stuber is the Travel Counsellor, helping people to organise dream holidays, from getting the best rates to ensuring everything is taken care of without any hassle.

How did you become a Travel Counsellor?

I started my travel journey in my late twenties after leaving a senior leadership role in retail. Unlike friends who backpacked right after school, I worked first, then explored the world a little later – focusing on Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand. I met my husband in Australia, and 20 years later, we’re raising three teenagers.

Parenthood definitely changed my approach to work. I embraced the flexibility of self-employment, running my own businesses. It was during my search for a family holiday that I first encountered a Travel Counsellor. The experience was so positive I realised I wanted to do the same for others, drawing on my own travel adventures.

What does a Travel Counsellor do?  

I’m part of Travel Counsellors – a community of independent, trusted travel professionals passionate about personalised service. We enjoy award-winning technology, immense buying power, and support from an outstanding head office. In 2025 alone, Travel Counsellors was named Top Luxury Agency and won the Lloyds British Business Excellence Award for Customer Loyalty, as well as two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.

Armed with these resources, I act as a personal consultant for every client, listening to your dreams and preferences, recommending options, delivering comprehensive quotes, managing flights, hotels, transfers, and paperwork, and even handling flight check-ins. Should anything go awry on holiday, I’m just a phone call away, backed up by our 24/7 Duty Office for added peace of mind.

What are the benefits of working with a Travel Counsellor?

My process starts with a complimentary consultation to understand your holiday aspirations. Whether you have a specific destination in mind or simply need some inspiration, we’ll have a detailed conversation to discuss everything from preferred airports and airlines to special requirements and quirks – such as travel-sensitive children.

Thanks to our technology, everything from quotes and itineraries to documents is accessible on our secure app, and you’ll always have my direct contact details. After you select your ideal trip, I’ll help fine-tune the details, secure everything safely with ABTA and ATOL protection, and look after you all the way – from check-in support to visa and vaccination advice. I’ll check in before your trip and remain available throughout your travels for complete reassurance.

Is it just luxury holidays that you organise?

Not at all. I can book the popular package holidays that we all see advertising on the TV, as well as once in a lifetime holidays. Whatever you book, I bring that reassurance and confidence that everything is taken care of. For some, who maybe don't travel that often, it adds a level of confidence and reassurance.

I'm available on the phone 24/7, but if I'm asleep our head office in Manchester has 400 members of support staff available, so there's always someone who can pick up the phone and help - you will never be on hold for hours. In this world of AI and technology, I think it's important to know that I'm in your back pocket most of the time!  

Helping people is my biggest reward and the Travel Counsellors ethos is about providing that personal service.

Are there any particular travel trends at the moment?

TV shows like Race Across the World are inspiring clients to look further afield – I’m seeing more interest in South America, Brazil, Canada, Italy, and Japan. Conversations often start with a dream or cherished travel memory. Clients are often surprised when long-haul adventures, particularly outside peak season, can actually offer better value than European holidays!

For example, I took my family of five to Bali for two weeks last year – it proved more affordable than Greece and created amazing memories for all generations. Having someone research and present tailored options truly pays off.

Do you have a favourite travel destination?

I have a real soft spot for Thailand. Thailand holds a special place in my heart, particularly Elephant Hills – the first luxury camp in Khao Sok National Park. This charitable project allows visitors to interact with elephants in an ethical way, and experience the magic of the jungle, waking to the sound of gibbons. Staying there directly supports conservation efforts and was such a meaningful part of my last visit to this amazing country. 

Ultimately, being a travel counsellor is brilliant because I can share things that I know are special. There are more than 2000 of us in the UK and we connect with one another, so we can ask one another about ideas and suggestions and tap into that wider network of knowledge - the support is phenomenal.

Find out more about working with Tess

https://www.southhams.com/directory/travel-and-transport/travel-agents-and-holidays/tess-stuber-travel-counsellor