Life in the time of COVID-19 with MTA’s Cara Lovell

Life in the time of COVID-19 with MTA’s Cara Lovell

This week, Travel Weekly caught up with the lovely Cara Lovell from MTA, who has been busy cooking “far too many cakes and biscuits” and bingeing Ozark.

What are you reading?

Aside from airline and insurance policies, Dead Run by PJ Tracey. I’ve also just finished Flesh House by Stuart MacBride.

What are you watching?

Ozark. Brilliant and a great binge watch. That area has now been added to my must-visit list.

What are you listening to?

My boys fighting! Music-wise, it’s a very eclectic mix, so no one thing as such.

What are you cooking?

Far too many cakes and biscuits. With two boys at home with me, we are tending to use baking/cooking as a way to fill our days. I won’t lose weight during this time – only money!

What’s the one thing keeping you sane?

Wine and knowing that this isn’t forever. Once this is over, we can all travel again and our business is going to boom.

What’s something positive you’ve witnessed or experienced since the coronavirus hit?

How well our amazing industry is pulling together. I’m building some pretty special relationships with people at wholesalers, airlines et cetera that I wouldn’t have had before this. We really are one big family and we need to stick together so we all see this out the other end.

What have you learned about yourself amid the crisis?

I guess that I’m more resilient than I thought. I’m still laughing and smiling and being as positive as I can be. I love this industry and not even this situation is enough to make me want to look for other work.

What’s your advice for others in the travel industry on coping with the crisis?

Take every day as it comes and don’t stress the small things, or even the big. Do all you possibly can for your clients, but don’t take things personally. I was doing that at the start of this and it really isn’t good for your mental health.

We know our worth and I don’t believe that’s something we ever needed to prove, but aren’t they all seeing it now!

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