While Tillem admits that she wishes the original holiday had gone as planned, the shake-up ultimately highlighted the importance of a travel advisor in times of crisis.

Both advisors sprung into action the moment they learned Kathy would be joining, making urgent calls to their various partners in the UK to adjust the itinerary. From editing the monogrammed umbrellas at their Corinthia London suite to gifting her an outfit for her Frenchie dog, Tillem and Parris went above and beyond to make sure Nikki and Brie’s mother felt included.

The episode also shows Tillem and Parris utilising their Global Travel Collection connections to personalise the trip to their clients’ liking.

Kathy and Brie are treated to a James Bond-inspired boat trip on the River Thames, a horse-drawn carriage ride around Buckingham Palace, and even an Edwardian England etiquette lesson. Crucially, all of these experiences were arranged in collaboration with Tillem and Parris’ industry partners, all of whom were able to customise each activity for Kathy’s benefit. 

These connections are just as valuable when things go wrong off camera. Tillem says that the strong relationship between the Global Travel Collection advisor and their supplier, whether it’s a hotel or airline, can often have huge advantages for the client. 

“Because of our connections and clout, they know we will make it up to them hopefully tenfold for what they did for us” 

“I recently had a situation with a major hotel where the client canceled a £10,000 booking without insurance,” Tillem reveals. “The hotel actually waived every cent, knowing that we’ll make it up to them in another volume. And that’s the power of using a travel advisor.

“Because of our connections and clout, they know we will make it up to them hopefully tenfold for what they did for us.” 

While happy to be raising the profile of the profession, Tillem and Parris are keen to stress that not all itineraries are as lavish as shown on Extra Mile Club. 

“Travel advisors are there to do anything at any level,” Tillem explains. “I don’t want people to feel, ‘Oh, I can’t afford that, or I don’t want an over-the-top itinerary.’ We will work with you pretty much at every level.” 

As for their reactions to being invited onto the show, both advisors were keen to participate from the beginning. 

“When I was chosen, I was kind of like, ‘It’s about time!’” laughs Parris. “I had this idea in my head for many years that we should tell our narrative. We should be the voice.” 

Tillem was equally enthusiastic, but had one condition before signing on. “I told the producers, ‘You can show our mistakes, but what you cannot do is show any reason that people should not be using a travel advisor,’” she says. “I don’t think that’s doing any justice for anybody.”

Episodes of 1st Look Presents: Extra Mile Club are available for UK viewers to watch on Youtube.