Travel agents have hailed the results of a poll about dream careers which showed ‘travel consultant’ was the most popular job.
Almost one in six Brits (17%) cited the career as their ideal job, closely followed by dog walker (16%), author (15%) and actor (13%).
Joanne Dooey, owner of Love To Travel and immediate past president of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association, prompted positive comments from other agents when she shared the results of the poll on her LinkedIn profile.
She wrote: “Travel Consultant No 1 dream job? I can assure you it hasn’t been the past few years, but wholeheartedly it’s great to see the good old days returning! Best choice I ever made #travel.
“Best statement ever said to me when I was starting my career in travel: Joanne you will never be a millionaire working in travel but you get the opportunity to live and experience what it would be like to be one.
“So true. I’ve travelled and stayed in the best hotels in the world, dined in the top restaurants all through this wonderful industry.”
News of the poll follows other research and comments that travel is not perceived as an attractive sector in which to work.
Becoming a travel consultant is the highest wished for dream job apparently? That’s no surprise to us! thanks to our member, Jo Dooey for sharing this! https://t.co/ypiqeJqE9f#TravelAgent#DreamJobpic.twitter.com/yNEkhvW7bW
— The Advantage Travel Partnership (@AdvantageHQ) November 25, 2022
Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive at the Advantage Travel Partnership, commented on Dooey’s post, saying: “Brilliant! You get to sell dreams everyday.”
Danny Giles, business development manager at Ponant & Paul Gauguin Cruises for North UK, Scotland, Northern Ireland & Ireland, added: “100% agree and I’ve never looked back after changing my career path from being a naval helicopter pilot.”
Lesley Millar, owner of Jigsaw Travel, also agreed, saying: “The past few years may have been challenging but they have shaped us into being more driven and passionate than ever. Still the best industry to be part of!”
Kelly Cookes, chief commercial officer at Advantage, said: “For the last few years, the travel industry has been in a constant state of flux and there is no doubt that booking travel has become more complicated.
“Being a travel agent has always been an incredibly rewarding career path, but this is particularly true now as the role of the agent is even more necessary and valued that ever before. The power of human connection in booking travel has never been more important.
“Since the pandemic, 90% of Advantage members are welcoming new customers who are looking for support and peace of mind by booking through a travel agent.
“Consumers have found there really is no substitute for agents who act as advisors, who know their clients and can provide expert consultation and support.”
The poll was commission by computer training specialist Le Wagon UK, which found that a quarter of respondents are so fed up they plan to quit their careers in the New Year.
Top 10 Dream Careers
Travel consultant 17%
Dog walker 16%
Author 15%
Social media influencer 12%
Party planner 12%
Food pop-up owner 11%
TV presenter 11%
App developer 11%
Video game designer 10%
More: Travel firms urged to harness apprenticeships and embed them into culture
Industry warned over perceptions of travel and tourism qualifications
Travel Weekly’s careers publication Take Off in Travel
Picture by Dragana Gordic/Shutterstock