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Holiday Representatives 1

Holiday Representatives 1. 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. Industry background.

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Holiday Representatives 1

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  1. Holiday Representatives 1

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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. Types of Holiday Rep

  9. 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.

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. What next? • Go to the Activity to find out more about this area of travel and tourism work.

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