ORGANISERS of the Travel 2000 show in Manchester are targeting the event at final year students who are looking to start their career in the industry in just a few months’ time.
But they want to make it clear that any visitor to the show should do their homework and should come to the event fully prepared.
Travel Weekly recruitment advertisement manager Marcello Di Virgilio said: “Last year, we had over 1,200 visitors, from every year of travel and tourism courses but this year we have written to colleges encouraging them to send only their final-year students. The emphasis at this year’s event is on visitor quality rather than quantity.”
AA Appointments director John Tolmie, who is sponsoring the event, said job seekers need to beprepared.
He said: “Visitors should dress smartly, as if you are going for an interview. Exhibitors like to see people coming to the event with a serious attitude.
“Don’t forget to bring several copies of your CV and exam certificates. It is amazing how many people just turn up with one copy.”
Last year’s event, the first show of its kind to be held in Manchester, attracted many visitors from the surrounding region.
Over half – 51%, came from Greater Manchester; 13% from Cheshire; 10.5% from Lancashire; and 4.5% from Merseyside.
Of those, 38% were actively seeking employment, 22.5% were looking for a new job within three months and 18% were looking for a new job within six months.
Some 51% were already employed in travel, while 18% were college students. Nearly 50% were under 21 years’ of age.
However not everyone is looking to recruit college leavers. Education Lecturing Services, for example, is looking for professionals with a fair bit of industry experience to give talks mainly to college students.
Client account manager Andrew Wood said: “By coming to an event like this we meet a lot of professionals who have got the skills but do not think of getting into lecturing.”
Other companies, such as Cresta Holidays, based in Altrincham, Cheshire, find Travel 2000 helps recruit local people.
Deputy general manager Jacqui Woodward said: “We are based less than half an hour away from Manchester. The event is in our catchment area.”
Visitors to Travel 2000 can check the vacancy boards in the exhibition hall for details of companies looking to recruit and the jobs available.