Here at Explore we have a passionate and experienced Commercial Team in place to support our agents. Whether you are selling a familiar destination or enquiring about a new tour, do not be afraid to ask. Philippa Baines is our Trade Sales Manager, on the road 24/7 to support you. Cat Morrissey is our Commercial and Account Executive. Being office based Cat is here to service any admin requests you might have. Please feel free to email or call the team anytime with any queries you may have.
Click on their names to the right to find out which of them is partial to a bit of amateur dramatics and which football team the other holds a season ticket for!
Philippa Baines - Trade Sales Manager
Hi, I’m Philippa, your Trade Sales Manager. I started with Explore during July 2012 in a new role created to manage and develop agency sales as well as providing support ‘on the road’ to help increase our trade focus. I’d love to meet you and tell you all about Explore’s fantastic, full range of exciting, inspiring tours plus I will be more than happy to provide staff training, assist with any marketing opportunities and talk you through ‘what’s new’ as well as sharing some of my own adventure travel experiences.
Please contact me at: Philippa.baines@explore.co.uk to make an appointment or request a visit, otherwise I’ll pop in and see you next time I’m in your area.
About Me Having worked in travel for two whole decades (!) I have seen many changes over the years from my 15 years as a travel agent and most recently in field sales and business development roles – one thing that hasn’t changed though is my passion for travel and in particular my love of adventure and enthusiasm for all things Explore. One of my very first adventure travel experiences was in Argentina on a Fam Trip during my travel agency days – check out the photo on my business card! I love the camaraderie of small group travel and made some very close friends on my recent Explore trip to Turkey (code TU) – we’re even having a reunion weekend in February! It’s a privilege to work for such a professional company who care about the places they visit and their staff both in the UK and the huge family of local Tour Leaders who are truly exceptional – they will make your holiday an unforgettable one and you can be sure of some unique experiences and happy memories.
When I’m not whizzing up and down the country on four wheels I like a different kind of ‘four legged’ horsepower - horse-riding is one of my biggest hobbies. I’m also a keen runner and have run a couple of marathons plus numerous half marathons and lots of 10k races. My third love is football – dare I admit……I’m a season ticket holder for Birmingham City FC! From Carling Cup victors to relegation it’s a good job I have my Explore brochures close to hand so I can plot my foreign escape at the end of the season
Catheryn Morrissey Commercial & Account Executive
My name’s Cat, I started working for Explore in the Reservations team when l returned from travelling three years ago. Looking after sales, admin and any customer queries l was in the role for a year and a half before making a move into Marketing. Working alongside Philippa, l am primarily office based offering support to new and existing agents. Whether you require merchandise, some tour recommendations or have an event you would like help with – just let me know. Meeting and training agents is another task l enjoy so l have been known to cover some training here and there. With Pip being on the road 24/7, l feel we make a great duo. I also send out special offers on a weekly basis so if you would like your agency added to our contact list please email me on: catheryn.morrissey@explore.co.uk
About me In 2008, l packed up my belongings and set off on a round the world adventure. Visiting Thailand, Laos and Cambodia l moved onto Australia for Christmas and New Year and ended my trip with some time in New Zealand. I had the most amazing time of my life, experienced many unforgettable things and without realising it, my time away lead me to my career here at Explore. My favourite destinations were Asia and New Zealand – both amazing places to visit and they really made a lasting impression. Since working for Explore l have been lucky enough to visit Madeira, Cuba, Jordan and Crete – all were fantastic trips but l must say Cuba is top of the list – perfect weather, culture, scenery and cocktails. It’s a country that is hard not to love.
At Chistmas time, l can be found treading the boards with a role in am-dram pantomime, last year was Jack and the Beanstalk. Having studied drama at college and university, l find l really enjoy the rehearsals and performances and as we’re raising money for disabled children it’s all for a good cause too. It’s also a good time to get on the stage before the busy months of the New Year kick in and everyone wants to book their next adventure holiday.
All our sales team have travelled both independently and frequently on our group tours so they are definitely the real adventure travel experts. They can offer tips and advice during the sales process plus all the information needed re visa’s, inoculations and practical information pre-departure.
Anthony Jay Adventure Travel Consultant
Hi, my name is Anthony, I have been working for the Explore reservations team for nine years now. I have a passion for travel and have been fortunate enough to travel to many different parts of the World. I have a particular love for South America, having been on our tours to Argentina, Peru and Brazil, its by far my favourite continent.
Working for Explore allows me to share my experiences with like-minded travellers and to sell a product which I strongly believe in and enjoy. I love adventure travel as it provides a way to see the different cultures and ways of life as well as the opportunity to sample exotic food.
My favourite Explore tour is Rio to Buenos Aires (tour ref QRB) and my top tip to sell group travel to nervous travellers is to explain that group travel is the perfect way to see all the weird and wacky places out there. Travelling with a ready made group of friends and the expert knowledge of a tour leader makes it so much more enjoyable though!
Hannah Green Customer Support Executive
Having previously studied Travel & Tourism at college and spent a year working for an online travel company, I have now been with Explore for just over two years working in the Customer Support Team. Within that time I’ve travelled on the Nile Felucca Sailtrek trip and the Burma Highlights tour and can thoroughly recommend both for their impressive temples, historic sites and the friendly people you’ll meet along the way.
Speaking to travellers so often, my list of places to visit is getting longer on a daily basis. My main aim is to see as much of the USA as possible as well as Australia and South America.
I really enjoy group travel as it enables me to see all sorts of amazing places with the details taken care of. Another passion of mine is the theatre and if l wasn’t at Explore l think l would work with ticket sales or something backstage at a local theatre.
Michelle Holder Customer Service Executive
I’ve always had a love of travelling. Going on holiday with my family when I was younger was always so exciting, wondering where we would be going and what it would be like. As I got older and headed off to university, my love of travel got bigger and bigger. I started planning to go to America for a few months at the end of my degree and it soon escalated into an 18 month trip. During that time, I was in Tanzania for two months teaching nursery children. There was nothing quite like waking up every morning to see the Indian Ocean only a stones throw away. It was then off to Thailand for some culture before heading to Australia where I lived for six months before travelling around. The final stop off was in New Zealand where I stayed for a year before returning home.
It was then that I realised that I had so many great memories of travelling that I wanted to work in travel and help others make as many great memories as mine – from exploring temples in Thailand, to bungee jumping in Queenstown, going on safari in Tanzania and watching the sunrise over Ayres Rock – simply Magical!
The thing l love most about adventure travel is discovering new places and different cultures. If l didn’t work in the Reservations team l would love to be a Tour Leader.
Sarah King Sales Team Leader
Before joining Explore, l worked for a tour operator called TourKits who organise short breaks and packages within the UK – trips that combine accommodation with sightseeing. What l love most about adventure travel is the unique experiences it provides and getting off the beaten track.
Having always had a passion for travel l think l would still be working within the industry, even if l wasn’t at Explore. I really enjoy learning about new destinations and helping people find their dream holiday.
Choosing a top destination is hard – for me, there are two. South Africa and India – both of which l was fortunate enough to visit on educational trips. Not being destinations l would’ve chosen for myself, l arrived with very few expectations which made everything a great surprise. The highlights were the colourful temples, fragrant markets in Kerala and the awesome scenery in South Africa. I would highly recommend both of these countries and I defiantly hope to visit them again some time.
My tip to our travel agents selling Explore? Well either travel on one of our tours – that way you can experience the group, adventure travel ethos first hand or ask our sales team lots of questions. All the staff here regularly travel on our tours and love to talk about where they’ve been, they’re more than happy to give out advice - so ask away!
The next holiday l have planned is our Budda’s Island tour next February – this has been on the top of my to-do list for a long time, so l am thrilled to finally have it booked.
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Hi, I’m Philippa, your Trade Sales Manager. I started with Explore during July 2012 in a new role created to manage and develop agency sales as well as providing support ‘on the road’ to help increase our trade focus. I’d love to meet you and tell you all about Explore’s fantastic, full range of exciting, inspiring tours plus I will be more than happy to provide staff training, assist with any marketing opportunities and talk you through ‘what’s new’ as well as sharing some of my own adventure travel experiences.
My name’s Cat, I started working for Explore in the Reservations team when l returned from travelling three years ago. Looking after sales, admin and any customer queries l was in the role for a year and a half before making a move into Marketing. Working alongside Philippa, l am primarily office based offering support to new and existing agents. Whether you require merchandise, some tour recommendations or have an event you would like help with – just let me know.
Hi, my name is Anthony, I have been working for the Explore reservations team for nine years now. I have a passion for travel and have been fortunate enough to travel to many different parts of the World. I have a particular love for South America, having been on our tours to Argentina, Peru and Brazil, its by far my favourite continent. 
Having previously studied Travel & Tourism at college and spent a year working for an online travel company, I have now been with Explore for just over two years working in the Customer Support Team. Within that time I’ve travelled on the Nile Felucca Sailtrek trip and the Burma Highlights tour and can thoroughly recommend both for their impressive temples, historic sites and the friendly people you’ll meet along the way.
I’ve always had a love of travelling. Going on holiday with my family when I was younger was always so exciting, wondering where we would be going and what it would be like. As I got older and headed off to university, my love of travel got bigger and bigger. I started planning to go to America for a few months at the end of my degree and it soon escalated into an 18 month trip. During that time, I was in Tanzania for two months teaching nursery children. There was nothing quite like waking up every morning to see the Indian Ocean only a stones throw away. It was then off to Thailand for some culture before heading to Australia where I lived for six months before travelling around. The final stop off was in New Zealand where I stayed for a year before returning home.
Before joining Explore, l worked for a tour operator called TourKits who organise short breaks and packages within the UK – trips that combine accommodation with sightseeing.
