| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 18/09/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 69 |
| Copyright: Other |
Long-haul specialist
Travel Bag dispels claims of skills shortage in industry
According to specialist long-haul operator Travel Bag, it is an exaggeration to talk of skills shortages.
The firm commits itself to recruiting a wide range of people and to providing in-house training.
Human resources assistant Sandra Cartwright said: “It is overdoing it a little to talk of serious skills shortages.
“We are not recruiting directly from colleges for travel and tourism people. We look for more general areas of expertise that we can use and develop. Because we are very specialist in our products we tend to get people who are passionate about the places around the world.”
Training opportunities and generous commissions can offset the lower basic salaries that the travel sector tends to offer.
“If they work hard, they earn a lot of money. We do not have restrictions,” said Cartwright.
Travel Bag recruits people with travel experience, but likes to balance this with those who may have a background in accounts and who are looking for a change of scene.
This gives a good complement of skills as well as maximising recruitment possibilities, according to the operator.
It is attending Travel 2000 for the second time, having found last year’s event helpful in attracting new recruits.