Reply to: Working for the Travel Industry...

[MPwannadecentincome]

Where would you check online about the profitability and prospects of a company? I'm going to have a ganders at FT and yahoo! finance but any other pointers would be appreciated.

Now to brush up on their product suite...

PM me and I'll tell you if I know anything

[realityhack]

Where would you check online about the profitability and prospects of a company? I'm going to have a ganders at FT and yahoo! finance but any other pointers would be appreciated.

Now to brush up on their product suite...

[Sysman]

Well. I have zero such experience, as they can plainly see from the cv. They still want to interview me though.

One of my chief concerns is the credit-worthiness of the business, the viability. I don't want to go long term into something, plough in shedloads of effort, and have the clientco start shedding resources. I can't see a travel co having a particularly great outlook at the mo.

Going bust. It does happen - see my other post about the importance of cash flow.

[Sysman]

It means understanding the industry jargon, processes and systems, the whole industry basically hangs together based on the fact that one system does not exist in isolation being connected to just about every other system, company or process within the industry in some way.

Yep. On the holiday package side you also quickly realise that there's so much accounting in there that you begin to think that plane and hotel reservations are just a minor annoyance. Think cash flow (deposits then full amount paid before the holiday is taken), currency exchange, block booking hotels for a fixed price and paying in installments, commission to travel agents, flogging insurance (commission receivable) etc etc.

[MPwannadecentincome]

Well. I have zero such experience, as they can plainly see from the cv. They still want to interview me though.

One of my chief concerns is the credit-worthiness of the business, the viability. I don't want to go long term into something, plough in shedloads of effort, and have the clientco start shedding resources. I can't see a travel co having a particularly great outlook at the mo.

Find out who owns them if its a big co like TUI you are ok they are unlikely to go under in 2009

[Board Game Geek]

Apparently, according to some, the PRC Army Tourism Department is going to get busy in the next decade or so.

HTH

[realityhack]

Well. I have zero such experience, as they can plainly see from the cv. They still want to interview me though.

One of my chief concerns is the credit-worthiness of the business, the viability. I don't want to go long term into something, plough in shedloads of effort, and have the clientco start shedding resources. I can't see a travel co having a particularly great outlook at the mo.

[MPwannadecentincome]

I wonder what they're looking for with that question?
It says 'travel experience' desirable... They could mean working in the same sector - or do they want a regular Ray Mears character who's backpacked around Africa carrying nothing but a penknife and a flint?

It means understanding the industry jargon, processes and systems, the whole industry basically hangs together based on the fact that one system does not exist in isolation being connected to just about every other system, company or process within the industry in some way.

[portseven]

Worked for Coop Travelcare years ago, enjoyed it, some unique technology in that industry, lots of links to 3rd parties, network setup was crazy. It was also part of the greater Coop and so that added complexity to the it estate.

Great subsidised canteen

[mace]

there's no money in it and the chances of having a stewardess/lady redcoat sitting on your lap is 0.

[Menelaus]

Amadeus, Thomas Cook, KLM and British Airways.

... Crab Air

[Churchill]

I wonder what they're looking for with that question?
It says 'travel experience' desirable... They could mean working in the same sector - or do they want a regular Ray Mears character who's backpacked around Africa carrying nothing but a penknife and a flint?

Amadeus, Thomas Cook, KLM and British Airways.

[realityhack]

Been on the holiday side, but budget company, they were pretty tight. But alright environment.

Went for an interview at a travel place a year ago too. Fantastic interview...but they were very hung up on having "travel experience". When asked if I had travel experience, "IBIFAAA last year", not amused...

I wonder what they're looking for with that question?
It says 'travel experience' desirable... They could mean working in the same sector - or do they want a regular Ray Mears character who's backpacked around Africa carrying nothing but a penknife and a flint?

[Mehmeh]

Been on the holiday side, but budget company, they were pretty tight. But alright environment.

Went for an interview at a travel place a year ago too. Fantastic interview...but they were very hung up on having "travel experience". When asked if I had travel experience, "IBIFAAA last year", not amused...

[sasguru]

Thank you Payload Bollocks, for your helpful sockie contribution.

Cancelled