Dubai school trip to London - a Tour Manager's perspective

Students from a Gems school in Dubai came to London last week for a fabulous school tour of the UK’s capital as part of their Week Without Walls.

Our Operations Manager Isabel Guilet spoke to us about her experience organising this wonderful tour.

This tour was put together in a record six weeks, what challenges did this present you with and how did you overcome them?

“Six weeks is a very short period if you want the group to be involved in making decisions, especially taking into consideration the time difference. My main issue was juggling all the different activities we wanted on the trips and their availabilities.

“Some of them needed to be booked months in advance to secure a slot. But as soon as we had the Harry Potter’s slot booked, everything else fell into place and I could organise the workshops and other activities. Our suppliers were key to making it happen. Even after the changes in numbers, diets for restaurants, etc. You just have to concentrate on it and make it happen.”

What was the highlight of the tour for the students, for the teachers and for you?

“So many! The students loved everything but the cold weather! Seeing Wicked (in the West End) was high on the list and then the Peter Pan show at the National Theatre took a firm favourite spot. But then the Harry Potter Studios really impressed them.

“The drama workshops were brilliant too. They kept practicing stage combat techniques well after the workshop! The teachers were over the moon just to be in London! They loved it all and especially the dinners. They want me to organise all their future holidays!

“For me, I have to say that seeing all the hard work unfold so smoothly was amazing. But the group itself made it special. They were so lovely, switched on young adults and so kind, they impressed me endlessly. I felt very lucky to be part of this trip. We organise so many tours, but each one is a unique experience for the members of the groups and they get so much out of it. I loved it.”

Which West End Show was most popular? How did they enjoy the theatre workshops? What did they think of London?

“Let’s mention London first! What an amazing place for them to see, so different from Dubai. Just seeing Autumn and the dead leaves was a huge excitement. Some students had never been on the train before and they were ‘doing the sardines’ in rush hour in the tube. What an experience!

“We had three workshops, that we planned very differently from each other and suitable for the younger and older ones: Drama, Physical Theatre and Stage Combat. Then they saw what they learnt that very night on a major West End stage. Very impressive.

“As I said, Wicked was already a favourite but they loved Peter Pan at the National Theatre as it is very different and original.

What’s the best thing about your job creating tours for our student groups?

“There are so many highlights! On a personal side, it is a very creative job, creating unique tours with the collaboration of the teachers. Always learning about the destinations and developing new territories. There is never a dull moment.

“It’s a huge challenge to work with vastly different destinations and groups but so rewarding. Knowing that each tour will be with the students for the rest of their lives and help shape them - It’s very rewarding.”

Get in touch with our school travel team now or click on the link for more on all our student travel tours.

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