Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed
Holiday Representatives 1
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed
Overview
• A great way to make friends and have fun?
• Or, an exhausting, low-paid, homesick experience?
• Being a holiday representative (or a ‘rep’) can be all of these and more.
• This presentation sets the scene for budding reps.
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed
Industry background
• Before considering what ‘repping’ really involves, it’s good to find out a little more about the holiday travel industry.
• Dominated by the big four tour operators: TUI, First Choice, Thomas Cook and MyTravel, things look likely to change.
• In February and March 2007, plans for mergers in the industry changed the scene.
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed
Tour operators’ mergers
• In February, plans to merge Thomas Cook and MyTravel were announced.
• Next month, a similar merger between TUI and First Choice, creating TUI Travel was revealed.
• The Thomas Cook-MyTravel group will cover a total of 50 travel brands.
• TUI Travel will encompass around 200 holiday brands.
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed
What this means for reps
• Before the mergers were announced, a rep could find work for one of the big four, or an independent operator.
• Now, there will be only the big two and the indie sector.
• If you get work as a rep, it’s likely to be with one of the big two.
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed
Will the mergers go ahead?
• Only EU approval of the mergers remains to be won.
• But this is already in progress, with initial clearance given for the first deal.
• Thomas Cook-MyTravel could be completed by July 2007.
• If this occurs, then the EU is likely to approve the TUI Travel deal too.
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed
What kind of rep jobs are there?
• Holiday rep work involves many different types of duty.
• It can be broken down into different themes.
• Job titles vary between operators.• The main themes/titles are listed
on the next slide.
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Types of Holiday Rep
• Resort rep/Overseas rep/Family rep looks after all types of people on holiday.
• Club rep caters for the 18-30 customer.
• Children’s rep looks after kids aged 2 -12.
• Transfer rep accompanies customers between airport and hotel.
• Administrator works in operator’s resort office.
• Entertainment rep provides daytime and evening/night entertainment for customers.
• Camp couriers on camping-style holidays, with similar duties to resort or family reps.
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed
Recruiting for reps
• The main tour operators begin recruitment many months before the Summer and Winter seasons.
• Budding reps can apply direct to tour operators.
• Much information exists online about the process.
• See the Activity for more details.
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Once application is successful
• It is normal for tour operators to require trainee reps to attend an induction course.
• Potential reps are ‘screened’ to ensure they can be effective– Professional– Courteous– Able to handle difficult situations– Able to present to large audiences
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What about starting work?
Tour operators generally provide: • Transport to the resort. • Uniforms, but not usually footwear (formal).• A basic wage (£100-150 per week), often boosted
by commission on excursion sales. • Free accommodation, maybe food vouchers.• One to one and a half days off per week.• Transport back home at end of season
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed
Any other benefits?
• Free use of facility attractions (boat trips, water skiing etc).
• Free or discounted bike, scooter or (occasionally) car hire.
• Better conditions of work for reps returning for a second season.
• Career opportunities beyond repping.
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed
What dangers are there?
Responsibility for customers on holiday may mean handling a number of problems:
• Customer illness or death.• Customers becoming victims of crime.• Travel problems such as flight delays,
cancellations or loss of luggage.
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed
Anything else we should know?
• As a representative of the tour operator, the rep is responsible for the health, security and safety of the customers.
• See the Activity for more on this.• Homesickness often affects new reps,
especially during their first few weeks in resort.
Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed
What next?
• Go to the Activity to find out more about this area of travel and tourism work.
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