For Jaime Stiglingh, travel is about far more than getting away – it is about returning to yourself. As part of a younger generation of travel leaders, she brings a people-first, emotionally intelligent approach to an industry often associated with logistics and transactions.
Her perspective, shaped by the demands of full-time work and her studies in psychology, reframes travel as something deeper: a tool for restoration, perspective, and meaningful connection.
At a time when life feels increasingly demanding, and overstimulating, burnout and chronic stress have become part of everyday conversation. Against this backdrop, Stiglingh’s belief that “travel is therapy” resonates. For her and her team, travel is not simply about leisure or escape, but about creating space to reset and reconnect – both with the world and with oneself.
More Than a Booking
Stiglingh is quick to point out that meaningful travel begins long before a ticket is issued or an itinerary confirmed.
For her and her team, it starts with understanding the person behind the booking. “For us, it is about prioritising the customer’s backstory — understanding what has led to the need, or desire, to travel at this specific time,” she explains. “Making sure they feel seen and heard.”
This, she believes, is what separates personalised travel planning from a purely transactional online booking. If travel were only about reaching a destination, travellers could easily arrange flights and accommodation themselves. But it is often the small, seemingly incidental details revealed during a consultation that can completely reshape an itinerary.
At its best, personalised travel moves beyond convenience. It becomes a curated experience — one that holds space for stories, emotions, and intent. By placing the traveller’s context at the centre, the journey itself becomes more meaningful.
Where AI Fits In
Like many industries, travel is navigating the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. While AI promises efficiency and speed, Stiglingh sees it as a support tool rather than a substitute for human expertise.
“AI supports us, specifically with brainstorming destinations and itineraries,” she says. “But our role is to interrogate that information and verify it by drawing on real-life knowledge and our global network. We make sure the outcome truly responds to the customer’s needs and reasons for travelling.”
More importantly, she highlights a critical gap: AI cannot replicate human reassurance when things go wrong.
“It doesn’t have the ability to support a traveller when disruptions happen. The advantage of working with a travel agent is knowing there is a team ready to respond when you need help.”
In this sense, the value of a travel consultant extends beyond planning. It lies in trusted guidance, accountability, and peace of mind – particularly when plans change unexpectedly.
The Reality of the Service Industry
Operating in Hyde Park means working with a highly experienced and discerning clientele. Frequent travellers, business owners, and corporate executives expect a level of precision and insight that leaves little room for error. This environment pushes the team to stay informed, detail-oriented, and proactive in every interaction.
For Stiglingh, the responsibility does not end when office hours do. Travel operates in real time, across time zones, and emergencies rarely happen at convenient moments.
“When issues arise after hours, it is better to step in immediately, or at least ensure the situation is being handled, and then return to your personal time,” she says. “The consequences of being unavailable in our industry can be devastating.”
It is a reality that reflects both the pressure and the weight of the role — one that requires empathy, responsiveness, and a genuine commitment to client care.
When Travel Meant More
One of Stiglingh’s most defining experiences came as borders reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic. After months of uncertainty, cancellations, and separation, travel resumed — carrying with it a profound emotional significance.
“We were doing far more than booking flights — we were helping families reunite,” she recalls.
These were not routine trips. They were deeply personal journeys, often marked by relief, anticipation, and long-awaited connection. For many clients, travel became a bridge back to loved ones they had not seen during one of the most isolating periods in recent history.
Moments like these reinforced a powerful truth: at its core, the travel industry is deeply human.
What Travellers Are Seeking Now
Despite global uncertainty and shifting geopolitical dynamics, the appetite for travel remains strong. However, the intention behind travel is evolving.
Stiglingh notes growing interest in destinations such as Japan, Vietnam, and Malaysia, with travellers increasingly drawn to culture, cuisine, and history rather than surface-level sightseeing. There is also rising demand for international cruises combined with a few days of on-land exploration, offering both structure and flexibility.
The shift is clear. Travellers are becoming more intentional. Beyond a break, they are seeking meaning — experiences that enrich, challenge, and stay with them long after they return home.
A Career with Heart
While the opportunity to experience new destinations is a clear benefit of the role, this young manager with a decade in the travel sector, finds the greatest fulfilment in the human side of her work.
Each day brings new people, new stories, and new opportunities to solve problems in ways that genuinely matter. Her background in psychology has strengthened her ability to navigate these interactions, helping her better understand behaviour, manage expectations, and respond with empathy.
At the core of every engagement, she believes, is a simple need: people want to feel heard, understood, and supported.
For Jaime Stiglingh, that is where great travel begins – not only with where someone wants to go, but with a crystal-clear understanding of why the journey matters in the first place.