A British woman who moved to Mallorca in 1999 for what was supposed to be a short stay has revealed why she never left the island – almost three decades later.
Diana Winskill, from Somerset, originally travelled to the popular Spanish holiday destination aged 23 to work as a TUI holiday representative, and had planned to stay for just six months.
But life soon took an unexpected turn when she met her future husband Chris – also British-born – while working on the island.
The couple, who went on to have daughters Imogen and Amelia, now proudly call Mallorca home after residing there for 26 years – longer than they’d lived in the UK.
For the past seven years, Diana has been based at the Globales Santa Lucia Hotel, working as a TUI rep.
Located between Son Matias and Palma Nova beaches, the adults-only hotel offers sea views from every room, indoor and outdoor pools, and a buffet restaurant and two bars.
Working in a beachfront hotel certainly has its benefits, with year-round sunshine and a positive atmosphere, and Diana said one of the best parts of her job is building lasting connections with customers – which is why she has no plans to leave Mallorca any time soon.
She added: ‘Even in winter, the average temperature only drops to 13 degrees, and you still get the most beautiful sunshine even in the colder months. My colleagues have become my family.
Diana Winskill, from Somerset, originally travelled to Mallorca in 1999 aged 23 to work as a TUI holiday representative for just six months – and she’s still there 26 years on
Speaking about role as a TUI rep, Diana has observed a number of tourism trends and changes in the Spanish hotspot over the years
‘One customer told me she’d been back four times this year just to see me because I make her holiday so special.
‘That’s what makes this job incredible.’
Speaking about her role, Diana has observed a number of tourism trends and changes in the Spanish hotspot over the years.
She said: ‘Brits still absolutely love their all-inclusive holidays. Knowing everything’s included means they can really indulge and not worry about extra costs.
‘And then there’s bingo. Without fail, we have our loyal customers who love their bingo every evening. That’s never changed in my 26 years.’
However, she added travel habits are shifting, with more visitors looking for authentic local experiences rather than spending all their time by the pool.
She said: ‘Excursions to see the markets in Mallorca are getting much more popular. People want to get out and experience the local culture they’re in, and TUI have so many to choose from with local guides who know the island back to front.
‘I’ve also noticed a rise in friendship groups travelling together, moving away from the traditional family or couple getaways.’
Diana has no plans to leave Mallorca any time soon, explaining that friendly locals, sunshine, a strong sense of community and a slower Mediterranean pace of life has made it impossible to return to the UK
But the biggest change, according to Diana, has been technology, adding: ‘The TUI app has revolutionised everything. Customers now get all their transfer times and can book experiences directly on their phones.
‘When I first started, we wrote everything by hand and phoned through excursion bookings. Welcome meetings are still incredibly popular. In a world where everything’s going digital, people still love asking questions and meeting in person.
‘Sometimes you just cannot replace human contact. And so we focus on ensuring we have the knowledge and know how of the destination to help ensure our guests have the most memorable holidays.’
Her advice for anyone considering a career as a holiday rep is simple: ‘Just do it. You might end up falling in love and completely changing your life, like I did. Travel is the best education in the world.’
