It is the first time Blue Bay has looked outside the travel industry for new recruits; the agency and operator will offer candidates a bespoke travel training programme to equip them with the industry knowledge they will need, and teach them the skills they will need to become a fully-fledged agent.

Successful candidates will start their four-week training programme on 1 August. It will feature a mix of classroom-style training and on-the-job coaching, plus individual sessions with key departments.

Applicants should have a minimum of one year’s sales experience, but this doesn’t have to be in travel. The up to eight available roles will be based at Blue Bay’s HQ in Stoke-on-Trent.

Blue Bay is incentivising employees to refer family and/or friends, paying a £100 referral fee for any applicants who pass their probationary period.

The long-haul specialist is also recruiting for two sales team leaders following a series of internal promotions.

These roles will oversee teams of personal travel advisors, reviewing their performance, coaching and supporting them to achieve their sales targets, and ensure they are meeting Blue Bay’s customer service standards.

Blue Bay is offering successful candidates flexibility to be 100% office-based, 100% remote or a combination of the two.

Alistair Rowland, Blue Bay chief executive, said: “As a business, we’re proud to have been able to retain all our colleagues during the pandemic and now, with travel firmly back on track, we’re hiring more.

"We’re on the lookout for 10 bright and enthusiastic candidates to join our busy sales team. Naturally, we’re always delighted to bring on experienced travel people but, faced with the same recruitment challenges the wider industry is experiencing right now, we’re opening the personal travel advisor positions up to non-travel candidates as well.

"Bringing in talent from sectors outside of travel will also lead to greater diversity in our workforce, something we strive for."

Rowland said there had never been a better time to join the travel industry as it rebounds following the Covid crisis. He said Blue Bay offered competitive benefits, including travel discounts and perks, social gatherings, in-house mental health support and performance-based pay increases, as well as a "commitment to delivering annual cost of living salary rises".

"We look forward to welcoming new recruits from a variety of industries and are excited about the rich experience and new skills they will bring to our team," he added.

Andy Hales, one of Blue Bay’s personal travel advisors, joined the firm from CrossCountry Trains nearly four years ago. "No two days are the same, which is fun and exciting," he said. "I’ve been taught lots about travel and the amazing experiences available around the world.

"Every day is a school day with something new to learn, whether it be about a new product or a new destination. Support from managers and colleagues is key, wherever you work, and here I can honestly say it’s amazing.”

Applicants can register their interest here.