Holidays are back and we're here to help!
While travel was on hold we've upgraded our service to get you the help you need in lightning-quick time. We're back and faster than ever. Our team is ready to help in any way we can - the easiest way to reach us is by live chat (check our opening times). Or if something has gone wrong and you'd like to give us some feedback, get in touch with our dedicated customer team and we'll look into it for you.
We've worked hard on our flexibility and introduced FLEXTRAS - if you buy your holiday extras from Holiday Extras, you'll be getting the most flexible terms anywhere. We're also investing heavily in our app with a big focus on HEHA! - The Holiday Extras Holiday Assistant which makes it even easier and even faster to search, book and save.
You're welcome to email me about anything at all - ideas, suggestions and feedback. I read every email and will make sure your query is swiftly actioned with the right people. If needed I'll follow up in person too.
Thanks for choosing Holiday Extras. Wishing you safe and happy travels.
Mel Davis
Delivery Director Short Breaks
My journey so far
I joined the Holiday Extras team in 2002 - 5 years before people had heard of iPhones! I have been the Finance & Operations Director of the Short Breaks division of Holiday Extras since Oct 2014. I held a few positions prior including Management Accountant and Financial Controller, all of these roles have given me great breadth of knowledge in both the core business and Short breaks. I can honestly say I feel very privileged to work in such a dynamic business, nearly every day comes with a new challenge and that's something I personally thrive on!
Life before Holiday Extras
You know that one person who always works out the tip when you go out for dinner or does the 'what's that in pounds?' maths on holiday? That has always been me — I was figuring out other people's money long before I was earning my own. Before I found my work family here at Holiday Extras, I worked in the travel & tourism sector and have spent time with Saga Holidays and Stena Line. Since the very start of my career I have always had a keen interest in Finance and optimising everything that crosses my path!
Life outside Holiday Extras
I live in Hythe with my daughter (a teenager, hence the Snapchat filters on our photo below) partner and our very contented dog, so the commute to work is no challenge at all! I'm happiest either curled up on the sofa, in front of an open fire, watching a movie with my family and our German Shepard (although the dog would much rather be dragging me around the local woods!), or I'm planning my next trip, I am so fastidious about location and can spend hours in the research, so when i'm ready to go it's definitely... less hassle, more holiday!
For the past 20 years I have been searching, without success, for the perfect glass of wine. My highly scientific research ties neatly into my love of travel and adventure; I've sampled fantastic wines in Italy, France, Montenegro and Malta as well as a few acceptable wines in sunny places all over the world.
I even managed to find a fairly decent bottle while trekking the Great Wall of China, which was one of the most incredible experiences of my life (the trek, not the wine)
Favourite places
It's so hard to pick a favourite, I've been lucky to travel to many amazing places but my most enjoyable trips have been to Thailand and Goa but for a quick getaway you just can't beat Europe, so diverse in culture and climate. There is nothing I like better than travelling and the combination of this, good food and good wine will never fail to make me a happy lady, I have so many great memories travelling with the people I love.
My inspiration
Recently I joined my colleagues on a leadership exercise that took place in the French Alps. The location itself was incredibly inspiring and evoked my love of mountains, but the company of really determined, positive and happy people with a shared passion was something truly special which will continue to inspire me in my work for a long time to come.
Personally, I'm a sucker for stories of people chasing their dreams and succeeding against the odds. Richard Branson is a particular inspiration to me.