Melissa Ring, sales development manager, Superbreak Mini Holidays
Education: five O’ levels, four CSE passes and an Ordinary National Diploma in business and finance.
First travel job: passenger services agent at London City Airport for London City Airways which at the time was owned by British Midland.
Career path: after working at London City, Melissa joined American Dream as a reservations agent and then progressed to reservations supervisor. She then worked for American Travel Centre (Tramcall) as a customer relations manager. Her first experience as a sales representative came when she spent three years working on a local newspaper in Cheltenham. Melissa then returned to the industry and worked for Tailor Made Travel as a specialist sales administrator specialising in Australia. She then moved to Festive Holidays as sales and development assistant. Melissa joined Superbreak Mini Holidays in July 1998 as sales development manager. Her key role is to service existing accounts, source new business and identify any opportunities where Superbreak can be promoted. She is also account manager for American Express and British Airways Travel Shops.
Advice for people wishing to develop a career in travel: “In a sales capacity, perseverance, motivation, good communication skills are vital for anyone wishing to enter this field. Knockbacks are part of the parcel and if you have a positive, enthusiastic approach and smile at the end of it, you’re half-way there! Commitment is important since hours can be very long, although you are rewarded with job satisfaction.”