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 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.

Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed Types of Holiday Rep Resort rep/Overseas rep/Family rep looks after all types of people on holiday. Club rep caters for the customer. Children’s rep looks after kids aged 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.

Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed 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

Copyright 2007 – Biz/ed What about starting work? Tour operators generally provide: Transport to the resort. Uniforms, but not usually footwear (formal). A basic wage (£ 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.