Kassie Jones, a travel director for TTC Tour Brands, has grown her childhood fascination with travel into a 15-year career filled with unforgettable journeys, authentic local encounters and a deep passion for helping guests discover the stories, people and places that make Spain so special
What does a day in your life look like?
One thing I love about being a Travel Director is that no two days are ever the same. My day usually starts before everyone else is awake, checking the day’s logistics with our coach driver, confirming timings with hotels and local guides, and making sure everything is in place before guests come down for breakfast.
Once we’re on the road, I’m sharing stories about the places we’re travelling through, giving practical tips, answering questions and helping guests get the most out of every destination. Throughout the day I'm coordinating behind the scenes with our suppliers while also being the face of the tour for our guests.
The role is a balance of organisation, problem solving, storytelling and hospitality. But at its heart, the role is about creating unforgettable experiences. Seeing strangers become lifelong friends and watching guests discover places they’ve dreamed of visiting is what makes the early starts and ever changing days so worthwhile.
What drew you to working in tours & travel broadly?
I’ve loved travel for as long as I can remember. As a little girl, I’d visit the local travel agency just to collect brochures and dream about all the places I’d one day explore. Looking back, it probably should have been obvious where I'd end up. Ironically though, becoming a Travel Director wasn't part of some grand career plan - it was a job I almost stumbled into.
I’d just returned from a trip with one of our sister brands and was looking for my next adventure when I noticed they were recruiting. I applied without thinking too much of it, never expecting to get the job. When I did, there was no way I was turning it down.
That was 15 years ago, and what I thought might be a short term adventure has turned into a career spanning Contiki, Trafalgar, Costsaver and Insight Vacations.
I still love the variety that every day brings, meeting people from all over the world, continually learning, and having the privilege of sharing incredible destinations with guests. It's one of those rare careers where you’re always discovering something new – about the world and about yourself – and I genuinely can't imagine doing anything else.
How does the approach to your job differ between Insight Vacations, Trafalgar and Costsaver? Are there different requirements between the brands?
While each of our brands has its own personality and style of travel, the fundamentals of my role never really change. Whether I'm travelling with Insight Vacations, Trafalgar or Costsaver, my goal is always the same – to create a memorable, personal experience and help guests form a genuine connection with the places they’ re visiting.
The differences lie more in how those experiences are delivered.
Insight Vacations places a greater emphasis on immersive, premium travel with more in depth cultural experiences. Trafalgar offers a wonderful balance of iconic sights and authentic local encounters, while Costsaver provides guests with greater flexibility to personalise their holiday through optional experiences.
As a Travel Director, it's about understanding what each brand promises and bringing that experience to life.
That said, every group develops its own personality regardless of the brand. Some are energetic and social from day one, while others take a little longer to settle in and warm up. The key is being adaptable – reading the room, keeping things engaging and finding ways to make each destination relatable, because when guests connect with a place on a personal level, that’s what they remember long after they’ve returned home.
What has been the most memorable moment for you in this role?
There have been countless memorable moments – from surprise proposals and milestone birthdays, to lifelong friendships forming between complete strangers. I’ve seen guests overcome fears, whether that’s travelling solo for the first time or stepping outside their comfort zone in a new country.
But when I think about what has stayed with me most, it isn’t a particular destination - it's the people and the connections that are made along the way. That's why some of my favourite moments come from our Be My Guest experiences. Whether it's visiting the family at Basilippo Olive Farm outside Seville, spending time at Monte Negro Stud Farm in Portugal, or an impromptu stop to meet Paco at his cave home in Purullena, these are the experiences that guests remember most. They step beyond the typical tourist trail, meet the people who call these places home, hear their stories and experience a way of life that simply can't be found in a guidebook.
One of the greatest rewards is watching guests fall in love with a country through those authentic local connections. When guests leave talking about the people they met rather than just the places they saw, I know we’ve done our job.
Through your work, how have you developed your knowledge and passion for Spain, and what makes it special to share with guests?
I'll be completely honest - I didn't arrive in Europe with an in depth knowledge of Spanish history. In the beginning, my education started with Google... and more than a few ‘History for Kids’ websites.
The history here stretches back thousands of years, and as an Australian, it was initially difficult to grasp all the layers of Roman, Moorish and Christian influences. That experience actually shaped the way I guide today. If I found it overwhelming at first, there’s a good chance many of our guests do too. So I made it my mission to join the dots, breaking down complex history into stories that are engaging, relatable and, hopefully, memorable. History is so much easier to connect with when it's told as a story rather than a list of dates.
But understanding a destination goes far beyond history. Spain is a country of incredible diversity and iconic landmarks. One day we can be exploring Moorish palaces in Andalusia, the next enjoying pintxos in San Sebastián, before wandering the medieval streets of Toledo or ending the evening with flamenco in Seville. Every region has its own traditions, flavours and identity, and I love helping guests discover those differences.
I also make a conscious effort to discover something new on every trip – whether it’s a café, restaurant, museum, park or hidden local gem. Not only does that give me fresh recommendations to share with guests during their free time, it also means I'm constantly experiencing Spain through fresh eyes.
As an Australian who now calls Portugal home, Spain has become my neighbour and part of my everyday world. I feel incredibly fortunate that what began as a job has become a way of life. Yet every time I think I've seen it all, Spain finds another way to surprise me – and that's probably the biggest reason I still love sharing it with guests after all these years.
