Laura-Jane Adventures

The type of work trip I once dreamt about.

Sometimes I cannot quite believe I am in the job I am now. I worked hard to get here and to be this happy about my career again. It wasn’t easy, but I believe I am in the perfect job for me, and the travel industry aligns with my personality and aspirations. Nevertheless, when you are doing something that you once dreamt about doing, you do really have to stop and have a pinch me moment!

Travelling to Madrid for FITUR 2026 – a travel conference – with work was a big old pinch-me moment. The city is one of my favourite places in the world, where I feel most confident and content. It is always great to go back, and to do that in a job I am loving – even better.

Evidently, since I was there for work, I didn’t see much of the city, but I still had a great time, and that is what this post is about.

It is a check-in on my TUI journey as I am almost at the end of my first placement with the Tourist Boards and Partnerships team. I am starting to feel more and more like part of the team, and my confidence in the role is increasing. Knowing it is about to end and that I will start over in a different department is nerve-racking, but I know that what I am learning now will put me in good standing for April, when my second placement begins.

FITUR

My second travel trade conference had a similar setup to World Travel Market (WTM), and the stands looked much the same. The difference for me personally this time around was leading some of my own meetings and speaking more Spanish. It was an opportunity to challenge myself and grow my confidence in my current role. Particularly ahead of ITB in Berlin, which, at the time of posting this blog, just happened this week!

FITUR itself is a key travel and trade conference for the Spanish-speaking markets. Therefore, the busiest halls were notably Spain and the Americas. Trying to work your way through the crowds was a challenge, but as you did, you were almost always treated to some form of entertainment – from dance performances to key speakers, and even at one point, the King of Spain.

Lots of meetings were held with new potential partners, I got to know my new boss better, and I introduced myself to some of our Spanish colleagues.

TUI Tapas Nights

My evenings at FITUR were less busy than WTM and that meant that I got to spend more time with colleagues. By the end of the three days in Madrid, we had inside jokes, had eaten an unseen amount of grilled vegetables, and I really had gotten to know those I work with a lot better.

I love connection and the chance to speak to new people, so getting to know colleagues in the workplace has never phased me. However, the way I have been able to bond so quickly with my current team is a testament to how comfortable and confident I feel being myself at TUI. The tapas nights in Madrid felt like a catalyst in becoming more ‘me’ at work. While it is bittersweet that in a few weeks’ time I will be meeting a new team in a different role, I know that I will continue to strengthen the relationships I have created in the Tourist Boards & Partnerships team.

An Italian Comedy Night in Madrid

I get to do some very fun and random things on my travels. I think the main reason for that is because I am a yapper, and so lots of opportunities arise when I chat away. So, after all of my meetings at FITUR were done, I was off to catch up with a friend, Pietro, who lives in Madrid. He took me along to a comedy night organised by one of his friends – called Carbo Comedy.

Not just any comedy night, though… He is Italian, and so naturally (for him) it was in Italian. I can speak a tiny, tiny bit of Italian and understand some of it because it is slightly similar to Spanish. However, let me tell ya, trying to understand a comedy stand up show in Italian was taking my comprehension to a new level. It started off well, but by the second half, I was lost. Despite that, I had a wonderful time and felt included. My favourite part was chatting in Spanish outside the bar with the girls when there was a break between sets.

My catch up with Pietro was brief but enjoyable as always. Then the next morning, it was off to Paris for me, a trip where I embraced my style and love for the finer things in life.

Each time I visit Spain, my appreciation and desire to experience more of the country increases. This work trip showcased the opportunities of living in Spain from a slightly different perspective – working there with TUI. And that is something I am beyond excited to explore very soon.

Lots of love,

Laura-Jane x