Justin Stanton, agency sales manager, Tapestry Holidays
Education: nine O’ Levels, two A’ Levels and BSc Applied Economics.
Training: on the job!
First travel job: working as a sales consultant for Royal Caribbean International.
Career path: four years at Harrods, managing a sales team within a variety of departments. After that I felt the need to travel, so joined Royal Caribbean International where I managed the on-board shops. This allowed me to travel extensively and face the guests on a daily basis. I became involved in sales promotion and marketing and decided that travel was the business I wanted to be in. In 1998 I joined Tapestry Holidays initially in reservations, dealing with the day-to-day enquiries and bookings which come in to the small, but very busy department. At the beginning of 1999 I was given the opportunity to develop an agency sales department which has been great. I am now developing the relationships with our independent agents, organising fam trips, agent training on our new destinations and sales and marketing promotions.
Advice for people wishing to develop a career in travel: “Start by working overseas for a year or two. By doing this you will become fully aware of the expectations and demands of the client and what the industry is all about. Remember to be flexible. Travel is a rapidly evolving industry that is constantly changing, and remember to take every opportunity that presents itself to you and enjoy it! Finally after a rather eventful year for our Turkey programme, remember to maintain a positive attitude at all times!”
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