For Michael Shanahan, being a Travel Weekly Cover Star is the next best thing to becoming a footballer for his favourite team Nottingham Forest.
The 30-year-old manager for Ilkeston Co-operative Travel’s Hucknall branch in Nottingham always dreamt of becoming a professional footballer for his home team.
As a teenager, he played for Nottingham City boys’ team as a striker, but becoming a travel agent soon put paid to any sporting career, he admits.
“It would have been my dream to play for Nottingham Forest. I used to play every Saturday and I did want to take it further but it fazed out when I started to earn money,” he says.
But he jokes: “Getting into travel probably ruined my career as a footballer, but now I’ve not made it as a footballer, being a Travel Weekly Cover Star is the next best thing.” And on a more serious note, he hopes the move will help promote Ilkeston Co-op.
Michael, dad to six-week-old Evie-Grace, adds: “We have a massive portfolio of product and can sell anything from dynamic packages to UK holidays under what is a really strong regional brand.
“I think travel was my best career choice. I’ve got a decent living and I enjoy it. I love making people happy and putting a smile on their faces.”
Michael started his career at 18 as a trainee for Going Places in Nottingham and soon realised he had an aptitude for selling holidays, especially to his favourite destinations of Ibiza, Las Vegas and Mexico. “I could sell Mexico all day; it’s like America and Spain all in one,” says Michael, who is considering the destination for his honeymoon after he marries girlfriend Lindsay next year.
But when the swine flu outbreak hit sales to Mexico, Michael had his work cut out. “I had booked lots of people to go to Mexico and then all their flights were cancelled. Fortunately, most of them rebooked for a later date or went somewhere else,” he recalls.
One holiday he won’t be booking is his stag trip next year. “I won’t be organising that, my mates can book through one of my colleagues!” he says.
Look after your staff
Having a mentor to give career advice and support is invaluable as a travel agent, according to Michael.
Area manager Alex Chapman has given Michael critical support to help develop his career.
“It’s so important to have someone who can give you advice and she has supported me throughout in my role,” he says.
Part of the management culture at Ilkeston Co-op is to look after its staff, he adds.
“As an employee you are looked after by senior management and if you have a problem they help sort it out,” he adds.
The company is owned by the Midlands Co-operative Society and with The Co-operative Travel is part of the planned retail merger with Thomas Cook.
If approved, the merger between Thomas Cook, The Co-operative Travel and Midlands Co-operative Society would create the biggest chain of high street travel agencies in the UK.
About our sponsor
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