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Smile Travel
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Travel with a Smile
The Cricketer speaks to Smile Group Travel about broadening horizons on and o the pitch
With more than a decade’s experience in the cricket touring business, Graeme Walker, founder of Smile Group Travel has seen it all.
He founded the business in Barbados in 2009 while working there as a coach, ground handler and tour manager.
His knowledge of the industry –particularly cricket – is second to none and is a key reason why Smile Group Travel is so popular with tour groups.
Walker picks up the story. “We work relentlessly for our clients and our focus is entirely on delivering the perfect tour.
“We work with most fi rst-class counties and we apply the same approach to all of our tours as we do to working with the professionals.”
Alongside the overseas trips to every relevant destination across the world, Walker has also been working closer to home in creating a number of domestic tours and there are increasing opportunities for cricket tours through Europe.
Smile are also at the forefront of the increasing interest in girls cricket and one of their initiatives is The Hundred Girls Cricket Festival. This festival will provide the opportunity for U13 and U15 girls to play cricket in a Festival atmosphere on the Isle of Wight.
Walker is excited about this new venture and the growth of female cricket in general.
“Schools are keen for their girls to play in a festival atmosphere and this newly created tournament provides just that. We also have a wonderful range of international tours which have been developed specifi cally for female groups.”
Walker believes Smile provide the widest range of high-class opportunities and through using their expertise ensure that the right tour is selected every time. “Smile Group Travel have organised numerous trips for Hampshire over the years and I would have no hesitation in recommending them. Graeme works diligently behind the scenes to ensure that everything runs smoothly and his knowledge of cricket and the team demands help in building a successful tour.” Giles White, director of cricket, Hampshire
THE HUNDRED GIRLS CRICKET FESTIVAL
Who: U13/U15 girls Where: Isle of Wight When: April 10-14 2023 • 4 nights full-board • 5 matches per team • Masterclass sessions by professional coaches • Visits and talks from world renowned cricketers • Additional competitions for range-hitting, fastest delivery, catching and more • Prize-giving presentation ceremony • Evening entertainment at hotel • Indoor cricket school in case of bad weather • Half-day coach trip around island with optional activities Price: £445 per person
