John and Irene Hays might be the “heroes of the high street” (with 450 former Thomas Cook shops now open and a new recruitment drive for an extra 1,500 staff, it’s hard to argue with this moniker), but it is worth noting too the numerous other travel success stories that have emerged in the wake of Cook’s collapse.
For instance, the companies that rushed to snap up some of the thousands of ex-Cook employees, determined not to let their skills go to waste. B2B operator Major Travel is one such example.
After holding a recruitment day in Peterborough (home to Cook’s former HQ), managing director Qasim Gulamhusein recognised "an incredible pool of talented and experienced" people.
The result was the launch of new tailor-made brand Signature Long Haul, run by 21 former Cook Signature staff.
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John and Irene Hays might be the “heroes of the high street” (with 450 former Thomas Cook shops now open and a new recruitment drive for an extra 1,500 staff, it’s hard to argue with this moniker), but it is worth noting too the numerous other travel success stories that have emerged in the wake of Cook’s collapse.
For instance, the companies that rushed to snap up some of the thousands of ex-Cook employees, determined not to let their skills go to waste. B2B operator Major Travel is one such example.
After holding a recruitment day in Peterborough (home to Cook’s former HQ), managing director Qasim Gulamhusein recognised "an incredible pool of talented and experienced" people.
The result was the launch of new tailor-made brand Signature Long Haul, run by 21 former Cook Signature staff.
Major has now revealed expectations of expanding its Peterborough office by 400% in the next three years (p16).
Holidaysplease is another case. Last month it took on 14 homeworkers, including six former Cook staff.
“It’s not about numbers,” says director Richard Dixon. “It’s about getting the right people.” And it’s a strategy that’s paying off – one homeworker inducted in recent weeks made £10,000 worth of sales just days into their new role (p8).
It’s impressive stuff at a time when Brexit remains an omnipresent shadow. And with election uncertainty now thrown into the mix, a number of companies – travel included – say their outlooks are unclear. Jet2’s latest financial results statement is a case in point (p6).
The recruitment drive by companies such as Hays, Major and Holidaysplease – not to mention other giants such as Travel Counsellors, which is hoping to recruit 300 TCs next year (p18) – highlights just how much travel experts remain in demand, regardless, or perhaps because of, the uncertainty.
Travel, it seems, has many heroes.
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