| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 14/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 10 |
| Copyright: Other |
Letter of the week
Future lies in young agents
I AM writing in response to the article “We’re still this far from charging fees” (Travel Weekly July 31), in which the managing directorof Bakers Dolphin, Kevin Abbey, had very strong views on the standards of service on offer in the travel industry.I have two very capable 18-year-olds working in my branch who always offer the best customer service they can and, with help and development on product knowledge, will continue to offer an excellent service.
Is Mr Abbey claiming that all his older staff know everything about everywhere on every product? I somehow find this hard to believe as Ihave been in the travel industry since the age of 17 and am now a successful manager with Going Places but still I do not claim to know all there is to know about everywhere in the world. Is MrAbbey saying that his company, Bakers Dolphin, are prejudiced against age? How is the industry going to survive if we do not give younger people the opportunity to learn?
I feel that young staff are as good as the manager they have behind them. All you need to create a good team of people, young or old, is determination and motivation. Ihave created that in my shop.
Zoe Scott, a very happy manager with very happy staff,
Going Places, Reading