Pete Mathers Email & Phone Number

Alderley Edge, England, United Kingdom

Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom

I've been writing content for the travel industry for the last 14 years.If you're a tour operator, travel agent, independent contractor, rep company, DMC or tourist board looking to create content to help drive your business forward, then I'm perfectly positioned to help you. If, like many companies, you've had to furlough or make your marketing teams redundant, I'm here to offer you an extra pair of hands for when the work piles up. I've worked for two of the UK's leading luxury tour operators, was Senior Account Manager for a top travel PR and marketing agency and have managed a hotel in Sri Lanka. I've guided companies through rebrands, rebuilt numerous websites and written for and edited a couple of different magazines. Although I specialise in travel, I've also written for an array of other industries, including creative agencies, landscaping companies, business management consultants and food retailers. I can work to an hourly or day rate, or on a project basis, and can help with writing any of the following:> Articles and blog posts for your website (including product round-ups, listicles, news stories and longer features)> Product and itinerary copy > Bespoke content for any other part of your website (homepage, about us, meet the team, why us etc.)> E-newsletters> Copy for any printed marketing collateral> Press releases> Client pitchesI can also:> Review, edit and improve existing copy> Assist with social media planning and posting> Help with content planning, branding and wider marketing strategies> Advise on website structure and design> Project manage the build or redesign of your website > Proofread content> Manage PR campaignsLet me know how I can help you.

Hungerford

Responsible for the maintenance and development of the company’s Europe and Latin America product portfolios. For the last year, I also provided maternity cover for the role of Product Manager for South East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Australasia.Ensured all product met the needs and expectations of an affluent and highly discerning clientele. Kept abreast of emerging trends, new openings and offerings to ensure product was innovative, relevant and marketable.Maintained positive relationships with existing suppliers and DMCs, while also sourcing and assessing potential new business partners. Negotiated, where appropriate, the best rates, overrides, incentives, allocations and offers with suppliers and DMCs.Ensured sales staff were trained on all product and fully supported, maximising their potential to sell effectively. Identified knowledge gaps within the sales team and organised fam trips to fill them.Carefully selected the most timely and appropriate product to market through the company magazines, website and e-newsletters; wrote inspiring and engaging product copy for all channels; loaded online content onto a bespoke CMS. Organised press trips for journalists to secure media coverage for Bailey Robinson in top-tier publications. Represented Bailey Robinson at national and international trade shows and supplier events.

Hungerford

Weligama, Sri Lanka

Responsible for all aspects of operations at On Houses Weligama, a privately-owned collection of three luxury five-bedroom villas near Weligama, on the stunning south coast of Sri Lanka.Recruited, trained and managed a team of around 20 staff, including Finance and Food & Beverage Managers, villa butlers and room attendants, kitchen staff, an in-house masseur and maintenance and landscaping teams. Established a management company to facilitate the management of the villas and successfully secured trade and tourist board licences.Wrote contracts and job descriptions for all staff, a staff code of conduct, an employee training manual, and a digital ‘guest book’ filled with information on local beaches, attractions, activities, shops and restaurants.Liaised with all guests from point of booking through to departure to ensure complete guest satisfaction.Responsible for everything from F&B procurement and delivery to HR matters, financial planning, budgeting, bookkeeping, on-site security and the ongoing maintenance of the villas, pools and grounds.

Knightsbridge, London

Responsible for all UK & Ireland PR activity for the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.Organised and hosted press trips for over 40 journalists and TV crews, from national newspapers and glossy travel magazines to the UK’s biggest commercial TV channel, ITV, and the celebrity adventurer, Ben Fogle. Assumed sole responsibility for the running of the press office. Responsibilities included: pro-actively pitching news stories and feature ideas to target media; responding to all media requests; drafting and distributing timely press releases in line with the client’s brand values; holding regular meetings with target media; writing and maintaining a press pack; accurate reporting on all PR activity; event organisation and management, including speech writing.

Produced and implemented a marketing communications strategy for this prestigious travel club, endorsed by such Honorary Presidents as Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Michael Palin.Youngest manager in the company’s 49-year history – experienced in managing teams of varying sizes, ages, backgrounds and skill sets. Worked alongside the Wexas Commercial Director and Product Managers in the creation of product for all brochures and websites in the Wexas portfolio, including Wexas Travel, Best Served Scandinavia, The Luxury Cruise Company and Wexas Travel Management. Responsible for the editorial execution and production of all publications for all Wexas brands, including a series of 168-page guide books, and travel brochures read by 50,000 members. Researched, wrote and edited product copy spanning all seven continents, as well as a wide variety of features, news stories and advertorials. Writer and editor of Vista, Wexas Travel’s award-winning members’ quarterly. Represented Wexas at a number of trade and consumer shows, including WTM and Destinations.Represented Wexas on a wide variety of fam trips, and ran training sessions for the appropriate sales staff.Liaised with print houses, fulfilment agencies, mailing houses, photo libraries, external suppliers and tourist boards to optimise cost, execution and delivery of all marketing materials. Responsible for the production of direct marketing/acquisition campaigns – increased Wexas membership from 25,000 to 50,000 people in a three-year period. Led a team of in-house staff through a company-wide rebrand and a team of designers, developers and content writers through the redesign of wexas.com in 2014. Increased online traffic by 27% in a year.

Researched, wrote, subbed, edited and proofed copy for a variety of on- and offline materials, including magazines, newsletters, travel brochures, websites and email campaigns.Contributed to Traveller magazine, Britain’s longest-running travel magazine, and the 12th edition of The Traveller’s Handbook, a 960-page ‘travel bible’.

Ba Hons, History

Activities and Societies: Surf Club; Waterski & Wakeboard Society Graduated with a high 2:1 First year representative on the Student Staff.

A-Levels: History, English, French