IN reply to Noel Josephides column (Travel Weekly February 28}, I would like to make the following observations.
Noel is 100% correct in saying that Headwater is looking to recruit a hotel contracts manager. Is this so very surprising? Of course, in the infancy of a small company, the owner is responsible for making sure all deals are signed, sealed and delivered.
But, as companies grow, it is impossible for one person to take sole responsibility for managing operations both in the UK and overseas. Hotel contracting is a prime example of how team work is essential if corners are not to be cut. Taking time to really get to know hoteliers is as important as our customers.
It’s a partnership and we need to understand where they are coming from, we want to know all about their family and what makes them tick. Our hoteliers are simply an extension of our overseas personnel and thus deserve as much respect and consideration as our UK staff.
So, quite how the owner, or one senior person within a company, is supposed to be so hands on in 10 countries leaves me baffled. Is Noel really suggesting that a cursory visit by the owner is more beneficial than regular full-day meetings with senior members of a company’s management team? I hope not, or it doesn’t bode well for the future of the independent operator.
Catherine Crone, managing director, HeadwaterHolidays