TRAVEL agents are getting an increasingly
raw deal in terms of perks and benefits compared to retail staff in other
sectors, new research has discovered.
Cheap travel offers and fam trips are no substitute
for the raft of other incentives offered outside the industry, such as share
options, private health cover and pensions, which are used to attract and
retain staff.
The investigation, conducted on behalf of the
Institute of Travel and Tourism, found most workers in the travel industry are
denied these benefits. Ironically, the trade even fares poorly in terms of
annual leave. While the average holiday entitlement in the UK is 25 days, in
travel it is only 20, exploding the myth that agents enjoy more perks.
Full details of the research, carried out by
employment experts Incomes Data Services, in conjunction with Simpson
Recruitment and Argyle Recruitment, will be presented to delegates at the ITT
conference in Malta.