I desperately feel the need to air my views. I have been in the travel industry for many years and have been lucky enough to have had excellent training in my career.
My independent company has just sold us down the river without warning to a big chain. Now clients have to be called customers. I have to trained to be shown how to greet clients, as if I don’t already know!
My office is closing down for two weeks for refurbishment. Meanwhile, all clients go where exactly? Oh yes, to one of the four offices within 100 yards of here. Am Iable to speak to them in that time? Oh no, sorry you’ll be elsewhere. Then in a year when my figures are not up to scratch, sorry no pay rise for you, your figures are too low. What do you mean it’s two years since you had a pay rise, oh dear. Sorry your office is going from upmarket retail leisure to downmarket cheap products.
Sorry we won’t listen to all our experienced staff who could help keep staff and clients happy. Sorry that once a week your ticket on departure is not at the airport waiting for you. Sorry it will take two weeks for the refund. A cheque instead – sorry we can’t issue a cheque, it’ll take a few days.
If there are any central London independent agencies that need up to four staff who have an average of 10-20 years experience, we’d like a decent wage, we’d love to increase your profits. Please make yourselves known through the travel press as we’re out here waiting.
Name and address withheld