Employers have admitted they will have to ‘work harder’ to attract staff back to the travel industry and say a caring work culture will be vital.
As holiday demand increases, hundreds of employees are being sought by travel firms looking to bring their workforces back up to the size they were pre-pandemic.
But agents and tour operators have reported difficulty attracting skilled staff amid a national recruitment crisis.
The UK’s largest independent agency Hays Travel has revealed it is recruiting for 680 permanent roles while other chains including Barrhead Travel are also looking for agents across their stores.
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Tour operator G Touring, which is currently recruiting, warned of the challenges facing employers to attract staff back.
Managing director Alastair Campbell said: “The real change now is we need to work even harder to encourage new entrants to the sector, and to encourage former industry colleagues to return. For sure it may take slightly longer to secure great people.
“We need to remind people why they used to work in travel and then work hard on attracting those with the right skills to return or to join the industry for the first time.”
The job packages on offer will be critical, he added. “Benefits is not just about financial rewards, it’s more about the overall package of personal development, skills development and the emotional rewards too,” he said.
Barrhead Travel said employers had to demonstrate a caring culture in the workplace to attract staff.
President Jacqueline Dobson said: “Travel excels in rewards, culture and recognition – three things that are very important for prospective candidates.
“Priorities have changed since the pandemic and people do want a much greater work-life balance – but they also want to work for a company that can demonstrate ethical values and cares deeply about its people.”
As well as traditional travel perks such as fam trips and holiday discounts, the company’s wellness programme, sustainability committee, training and development opportunities will pay a “central role” in recruitment messaging, she said.
“We’re looking to position some of those money-can’t-buy benefits such as regular fam trip opportunities, a dynamic social calendar and being part of a business that genuinely cares about wellness and progression,” she said.
C The World director Carolyn Park, who has just taken on an experienced travel agent, said new staff were likely to be nervous to return to travel. “Job security and stability are key,” she said.