Tipto hosts first apprentice event in conjunction with Hays Travel

As part of the day, apprentices also got the chance to do a stadium tour, complete with a walk through the tunnel and pitch-side photo, and had the chance to win five of Tipto’s goodie bags, two £100 shopping vouchers and a £50 Titan Travel reward in the prize giveaways. All apprentices also received a Tipto tote bag on arrival and contributed towards Tipto’s regular charity prize raffle.

Rachael Allen, Hays Travel’s head of apprenticeships, thanked Tipto for the “informative and fun” event. She said: “The day was a huge success – from the ‘speed-dating’ supplier sessions, networking and Q&A, we know that our younger colleagues will truly benefit from the information shared and everything they learned.

“We are proud to have been welcoming apprentices into our business for many years and it’s always beneficial to find new ways to help build their knowledge and confidence, as we help prepare them for a brilliant career in travel.”

There are more than 600 apprentices at Hays Travel based across the UK in branches and at its Sunderland head office.

Hays Travel Stanley branch apprentice Millie MacPhail said the day was a “great opportunity to meet different suppliers and get more information on what they offer and how they work”.

She added: “It was interesting to talk to the suppliers I’m less familiar with and get tips on how to sell their brand in store and the features and benefits to give to customers when selling.

“Every supplier we met was lovely and helpful and has reached out since the event with their contact details and to offer their support. The whole day was very well organised, with great food and the chance to have a stadium tour at the end was an extra treat!”

Madison Robinson, an apprentice at the Hays Travel Whitehaven branch, said: “I really enjoyed the day, and it helped me gain lots of new knowledge. I learned more about the different suppliers that we use, their commission rates and the types of holidays they sell.

“I shared what I learned with my team, particularly from Hurtigruten and Ambassador Cruise. It’s good to have lots of information about these suppliers to help our customers.”

Tipto, which has 26 members in total and is in its 27th year, runs roadshows for agents nationwide but this is the first time it has held an event specifically for apprentices.

Its current members are: Abercrombie & Kent / Cox & Kings, AmaWaterways, Ambassador Cruise Line, Royalton Hotels & Resorts, CroisiEurope, Do Something Different, DriveAway, Exoticca, Fred.\ Holidays, Gold Medal, Holiday Extras, Hurtigruten, Intrepid, JG Travel Group, Leger Shearings Group, Newmarket Holidays, Playa Hotels & Resorts, RateHawk, RCD Hotels, Red Sea Holidays, Scenic & Emerald Cruises, SPL Villas, Titan, Travelpack, USAirtours, and Virgin Voyages.

Agents are encouraged to register with Tipto via its website to access its training modules and keep track of events and new product information.