60 Years of Travel: Ian’s Legacy in Inspiring Students

Last updated: Feb 24th, 2025

60 Years of Travel: Ian’s Legacy in Inspiring Students

This year marks a fantastic milestone for Rayburn Tours as we proudly celebrate our 60th anniversary! As we commemorate this achievement, we want to reflect on the incredible impact that dedicated staff members have had in shaping our legacy.

One such person is Ian Geddes, a Field Study Tutor (FST) at Rayburn Tours, whose countless trips, numerous unforgettable experiences, and passion for inspiring young minds have left a lasting mark on both our company and the students he has worked with!

In this special blog, we take a look at Ian’s journey, his pivotal role with Rayburn Tours, and the profound influence travel has had on Geography students over the years.

Ian’s Impact at Rayburn Tours

Ian has truly made his mark on educational travel! Joining Rayburn Tours after a brilliant career in teaching, he quickly became one of our most valued FSTs. His expertise in geography and passion for guiding students on transformative trips made him a key part of our team!

Over the years, Ian has led numerous trips, with his key destinations being Iceland, Morocco, and Switzerland. Each journey is more than just a trip – it’s an opportunity for students to connect with the world around them, witness the beauty of our planet, and learn in ways that extend far beyond the classroom.

Reflections on 60 Years Of Travel

To mark our 60th anniversary, we had the chance to sit down with Ian and hear about his journey with Rayburn Tours! Here is an unforgettable insight that he shared with us during this special interview:

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My legacy was school travel –  I believe in the value of encouraging kids and introducing them to the world.

Ian’s passion for travel goes beyond just showing students new places; it’s about creating lasting memories and experiences that will shape their future.

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[For] geography students, they want to capture the memories. They want to have those moments like when you’re sitting on a sand dune, watching the sun go down in the desert.

For Ian, these moments are what make educational travel so special – the experiences that stay with students for a lifetime and inspire them to look at the world differently. Travel provides young people with the tools to make a positive impact on the world, therefore empowering them to take action and think critically about global issues.

Memorable Moments

Ian’s time as a Field Study Tutor has been filled with unforgettable moments that he holds dear. Some of these experiences have stayed with him throughout the years, not just for the beauty of the locations, but for the profound impact they had on the students he guided.

One of Ian’s most cherished memories comes from Iceland, where the Northern Lights performed a magical spectacle. As Ian recalls:

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I’ll never forget one trip to Iceland when the Northern Lights seemed to escort my group to the airport. It was a powerful, almost spiritual experience, one that my students will never forget.

After embarking on 72 trips to Iceland, 26 to Morocco, and 4 to Switzerland, Ian undoubtedly has many more fantastic stories to tell!

Looking to the Future

As Ian prepares for his 100th trip, set to happen this October, it’s a time to celebrate not just his remarkable journey, but also his ongoing passion for guiding students. Ian’s enthusiasm for educational travel remains as strong as ever, and he continues to inspire both students and colleagues alike!

At Rayburn Tours, we’re proud of the impact we’ve made on students’ lives, and we’re even prouder to have had Ian as part of our team. Here’s to the next 60 years of making memories, transforming lives, and exploring the world together.

We’re celebrating 60 years!

In celebration of our 60th anniversary, Rayburn Tours is delighted to offer our customers the chance to win ‘£60 off per person’ for your next group or school tour! This prize will be awarded three times, with a Spring, Summer, and Autumn Prize Draw each offering a chance to win.

This giveaway is just one of the many ways we’re celebrating our legacy, whilst also looking ahead to the future, with our loyal customers at the heart of it all!

Find out more