Travel agent salaries are being driven up by a growing number of staff with specialist know-ledge in the independent sector.
According to the AA Appointments Salary Forecast 2008 revealed exclusively in Travel Weekly, agents with computer reservation skills – often staff who work for independent agencies rather than multiples – are able to command higher salaries.
In Scotland retail staff with CRS skills and up to two years’ experience enjoyed pay hikes of 8.3% in 2007 on the previous year, to an average of £12,000. For those with two to four years’ experience salaries rose 8.3% to an average of £13,000.
In London retail staff with CRS skills and up to two years’ experience enjoyed pay hikes of 7% to an average of £15,000. Pay rises for staff with two to four years’ experience were up by 6% to £17,500 on average.
The difference between retail agents with two to four years’ experience with and without CRS skills is £2,500 in London.
Managing director John Tolmie said specialist skills, particularly associated with independent agents, were helping to prop up retail salaries.
He said: “When you look at salaries, a lot is being driven by independents. They are carving a niche. Last year there were not many increases in certain areas such as retail with CRS skills.”
Companies are keen to recruit staff who can sell outside of the traditional ‘bucket and spade’ holidays.
Tolmie added: “That’s driving up salaries and the independent market is proving more resilient than it’s given credit for. Agents have to be more knowledgeable than they ever have been. Knowing the best hotel is more important than ever.”
- Read our analysis of the salary forecast