TRAVEL ’98, the first dedicated travel industry recruitment fair, organised by Travel Weekly in October, attracted more than 3,500 people to the Novotel, Hammersmith in London.
The event was such a success that exhibitors had to draft in extra staff to help man their stands.
New Frontiers corporate division manager Claire McClafferty said of the 10 recruitment shows her company attended every year, Travel ’98 stood head and shoulders above the rest.
“We were mobbed by thousands of people during the two days and ended up placing 15 high-calibre people with good companies such as BTIUK Hogg Robinson, Carlson Wagonlit Travel and the Lotus Group. Sectors included reservations staff, ticketing, administration, business travel and junior customer service staff.”
AA Appointments director John Tolmie said his company’s sponsorship of the event was initially intended as a public-relations exercise, but it eventually ended up placing 42 people in full-time work.
“The response was phenomenal and the sheer number of people and their quality was excellent. It was a win win scenario for us,” he said.
Travel Weekly spoke to some of the visitors who found their ideal jobs as a result of the recruitment fair.
Darren Whitehead from Perth, Australia, managed to secure a position as travel consultant at Campus Travel, Victoria, London.
“Ihad done a fares and ticketing course for British Airways at West London College and heard about the fair through the national press. When I was chatting to staff at AA appointments, they mentioned there was a position available at Campus Travel, but I also saw people like American Express and Thomas Cook.
“I wanted to get away from the two-week package holiday environment and with Campus Travel I get to deal with a lot of backpackers, of which I have been one. It’s a lot more fun working in the student field. The whole process only took a week from attending the show to getting the job, so I would definitely recommend anyone thinking of attending the fair to go along. It was really well done and everyone was prepared to help.”
Emma Northway is now working as a travel consultant for the Americas department of Wexus in Knightsbridge, London.
“I used to work for Trailfinders before Iwent to Travel ’98, and saw the show advertised in Travel Weekly. The two days were very good but perhaps they could split them between students and those already in work.
“I saw quite a few people before AA Appointments and then it was only two to three weeks before I started work with Wexus in Brompton Road, Knightsbridge.
“AA was talking initially about working in the business travel sector but I am nowvery happy to specialise in the Americas.”
George Crerar found a position as business travel corporate consultant for Commodore International Travel, Marble Arch, London.
“I have been in the travel industry for 20 years, latterly with Emirates reservations and read about Travel ’98 in Travel Weekly.
“At first, we went just to have a look around but Henry Bath Appointments was the first stand we saw and the next thing I knew, one of its staff asked for my CV.
“She said ‘I’ll call you tomorrow – I’ve got a job for you.’ I thought nothing about it but the agency came up with a Commodore International Travel interview two days later. Within a week of the show, I had a job. I was absolutely gobsmacked.
“Travel ’98’s advantage was that it was under one roof and you could sit down and talk to people with no pressure.
“The only drawback was that the venue was perhaps too small and hot – but apart from that it was really good.”