Spotlight on GTO Catherine Skeggs

What is the best thing about being a (G)TO?

I have always been the family travel organiser, as I’ve always been passionate about travelling. While we did a lot of sightseeing as I was growing up, and even had regular trips to the theatre, we never went abroad. So, as soon as I left school and got a job, I started travelling the world, planning a different country each year.

Depending on your definition, I’ve succeeded every year. Some years it’s been as short as a day trip, but other years it’s been numerous visits to numerous countries.

To actually visit somewhere does not compare to seeing it online or in a book. I’ve loved discovering new places and new things. My curiosity still yearns for adventure and my inner explorer is always looking for new experiences and places to visit.

Becoming a Group Travel Organiser means that I can share my passion for travel, discovery and adventure with other like-minded people.

Who has been the biggest influence in your career?

I spent many years working as an accountant and auditor, first at British Coal, then at the Audit Commission, and finally at a London secondary school. The biggest influence in my early career was Graham Davies. My boss, mentor and good friend, sadly Graham died in the 1990’s, leaving a young family.

In 2007, I threw in my job, went to the London Metropolitan University, gained 1^st class honours in Event Management and switched careers to become an event manager.

In that role I organised murder mystery events, including writing an eight-actor play. I also wrote the book on social team-building. I have worked as a games master and co-produced a pop-up escape room.  Running Treasure Hunts in London, producing heritage treasure hunts, lead me into becoming a group travel organiser.

What was the most memorable trip you have arranged?

Although I’ve run a lot of trips for my group, the City Adventurers, they don’t compare to the trips I’ve arranged for the family.

I’ve organised numerous road trips across the USA for the family. Obviously, we’ve done the theme parks in Florida and visited Hollywood, but we’ve done so much more. We’ve taken a gangster tour of Chicago. We’ve been to a gun fight in Tombstone and explored native American history in Arizona. We witnessed a civil war re-enactment in Chattanooga and threw tea overboard in Boston harbour. We’ve driven through the painted desert and the petrified forest, seen the finger lakes and taken a helicopter over the Grand Canyon. We’ve toured music sites in Nashville. We’ve spent 4^th July at an Oath of Allegiance ceremony and learnt about English pirates at St Augustine. We’ve toured notable sites from the War of Independence to the US Civil War, toured Atlanta and even been white water rafting n the Smokey mountains.

As a couple, my husband, Ian, and I visited the USSR during perestroika and toured Cuba at the time of Castro’s death.

There are memorable visits too numerous to mention but not as a GTO with my group (yet!)

What was the biggest disaster to happen on one of you trips?

It is hard to describe the “biggest disaster”. Things happen and you cope. Hopefully nothing too traumatic, so you can laugh about it afterwards.

Thinking of things that did not go to plan could include our jeep breaking down on a safari into Tiger country. Having been told no-one was to leave the vehicle, as this was a well-known drinking spot for tigers, we were all ordered to get out of the jeep and the men in the tour were requested to help push it!

Being evacuated from our hotel during the night with water cascading down the corridors was another memorable time. As was flying onto a distant runway at Luton and seeing fire engines racing us in case we exploded.

Talking of flying, having your flight cancelled so you can’t make your connection is pretty bad. Having a replacement flight offered helps, until you find you’ve got to collect the luggage and get to the other side of the airport with two children and a buggy as your new flight is about to leave…then the connecting bus driver taking a break en route! Oh, how we laughed. Well, looking back we do.

Who dead or alive would you most like to have dinner with and why?

I’m currently reading the autobiography of Bernie Taupin. Most people know him as a lyricist, who mainly writes with Elton John. What makes him a possible candidate is the depth and breadth of his stories. In fact, Elton barely gets a look in as Bernie talks about the places he’s been and the people he’s met. From Golden Age Hollywood stars to music legends, to artists to business leaders.

I would like to have dinner with a raconteur, such as Bernie Taupin. Someone who can keep the entertainment flowing with stories about many people and many places. Someone who can spark my curiosity and captivate my attention with their art of storytelling.