Covid 19 was the surprising catalyst behind David Speakman’s decision to get back into travel.
When the World Health Organisation declared the global pandemic on March 11, 2020, David was in Aspen, Colorado with many of his family.
Stranded.
Covid would change the travel industry forever.
David spent much of his time during that period in the US, giving emotional support to home-based agents struggling with the biggest challenge they had faced in their lives.
They trusted him. They listened to him.
And they emerged from isolation, as did the world, and as did David from his self-deception that he was retired.
"I love the industry," he says "and I love the interaction with people. The psychology of people wanting to belong to something, and connect with someone who they trust. Someone who is authentic and who gives them reassurance, leadership, confidence and a wealth of experience from a lifetime in travel.
"Buying the Travel Bureau in Newcastle was the beginning of a new journey, but very quickly I sensed a great opportunity.
"I decided to build a brand that catered for the absolute cream of the industry.
"A level of elite travel business owners desiring of, and capable of, using my mentoring, guidance and absolute passion for being the best. I have created a dream team to help me build the business and all this has coincided with the birth of AI.
"We will harness the best technology to speed up admin processes, which in turn will free our founders to spend even more time building lifelong relationships with their customers
"That human connection which will never be matched by technology."
Every day we build the business for you. You are at the epicentre of what we do. We listen, we act and we do this with care and transparency. We want to be the very best.
Welcome to The Integrity Travel Group where reputations are protected, elevated and amplified.
DAVID SPEAKMAN
CEO The Integrity Travel Group