Start-up “talent matching” service Travel Talent Direct is to donate a percentage of its turnover to Abta Lifeline.
The business was formed last month when founders, Original Travel marketing director Andy Smith and Feefo chief executive Tony Wheble, were discussing how to assist their friends and colleagues who had lost jobs during the pandemic.
Central to the company is helping those staff find employment and the industry to scale up quickly and cost effectively when travel rebounds.
The co-founders, who previously worked together at James Villas, say they have been delighted with the positive response from across the travel industry, from people looking for work to travel companies seeking to recruit or support former colleagues and the wider travel community.
Travel Talent Direct has also seen high levels of engagement from those in employment considering for new opportunities, whether moving home, looking for more flexibility with home working or redressing their work-life balance.
Smith said: “Abta Lifeline does fantastic work in supporting staff from the sector, and has never been more important than in the last year, so it was an obvious choice for us as we seek to help travel staff return to work.”
Abta Lifeline director Trudie Clements said: “Last summer Abta LifeLine and Travel Weekly teamed up to launch their TravelCares appeal to help raise vital funds to support people in our travel community really struggling as a result of the pandemic.
“And as the pandemic and the uncertainty continues, we know that LifeLine’s support is more important than ever.
“So I am delighted that Travel Talent Direct has chosen to support Abta LifeLine and the TravelCares appeal, helping us to continue providing the practical, financial and emotional support that our travel colleagues need right now.”