Newsletter June 10

World Cup

All the waiting and expectation is over, and we’re off and running, or in England’s case stumbling!
A short informal poll of some of our clients shows that most will be showing the England match next Wednesday in their offices.
There are plenty of parallels between selecting and managing a top football team, and recruiting for top businesses. Sometimes it’s more important get the right balance in the (management) team than necessarily going for the best individuals (Gareth Barry and Emile Heskey spring to mind). When a new person joins an already established business (or team), it’s important to give them plenty of support and encouragement, especially if they make the odd mistake early into the job (Rob Green!).
Whichever team you are supporting, we hope you enjoy the World Cup, and which ever country you’re from we’ve already all learned a new word……vuvuzela!

ITT Conference

We are just back from the Institute of Travel and Tourism’s annual conference in the unique Benidorm, one of the original resorts at the centre of the growth in package holidays in the 1960’s.
Package holidays, despite the predicted demise over the years, remain a strong concept and a core part of our industry. They have improved hugely in terms of sophistication and variety since these early days, yet there remains a microcosm of their past in the anachronistic streets of Benidorm.

The talk from the stage at the conference from some of the speakers external to our industry was of years of pain with domestic cutbacks, weak growth and global competition. However, this dour mood was not shared by many within the travel industry where there was a renewed optimism, reflected especially from our clients who were inundating us with new openings to work on, which can only be good news for all concerned.

Head of Operations – Southeast – £60K

This is an exciting opportunity to join this specialist travel company. Reporting to the Managing Director you will be responsible for managing the day to day running of the UK and Overseas Division developing and implementing a clear strategic plan. For these areas you will maximise sales opportunities, ensuring that minimum conversion targets are exceeded at all times and that the maximum GP is generated and retained on every sale as well as significantly enhancing customer service at all contact points. You will lead by example and maintain a high presence. Outstanding Customer Service, leadership and motivational skills are required as are proven commercial and strategic planning skills. You will be conversant with legislation that may affect the business and have some crisis management experience. You will have substantial experience in a similar position at this level with a demonstratable experience of delivering significantly improved customer service and sales performance in a previous role. Ideally you will have worked Overseas at a senior level and have a proven experience and knowledge of the Ski market and or bespoke tailor made market.

Refer a Buddy

Don’t forget our ‘Refer a Buddy’ scheme whereby if you recommend us to your friends or colleagues, as a thank you for your recommendation (which results in a successful placement), you will receive a gift as a token of our appreciation. So why not recommend a friend or colleague today!

Talented Moves

Directline Holidays appoints Andrew Claridge as Director of Sales & Operations; Kevin Scott joins Opodo as Commercial Executive UK – Air ; Dinaz Zaq is appointed Head of Revenue Management at RCCL; Maria Fritzell joins Expedia as PPC specialist; Jill Lloyd also joins Expedia as PR Manager; Sanjiv Gandhi joins Carlson Wagonlit Travel as Manager GSM.