Career Zone in association with Gail Kenny Executive Search
Gail Kenny Executive Search was launched in December 2004. The formula that we hoped would deliver a viable business was that of hard work, tenacity, passion and of course expert knowledge. Thankfully this proved successful, but we should also acknowledge that the launch was timely. The travel industry recruitment market remained buoyant throughout 2005, but will it continue so into 2006?
It is somewhat surprising that recruitment at the more senior levels remained so active in 2005 given the tough market conditions, competitive pressures and general restructuring across the travel sector. We see more of the same for 2006, but these conditions can often be the catalysts for a shake-up in the job market, and this appears to have been the case.
Although there continues to be further restructures within the Vertically Integrated tour operators, don’t despair. These businesses need to bring in fresh blood with new and different skills in order to remould their businesses to compete in the online and dynamic packaging world. Furthermore, the opportunities within the online retail sector have grown at an exponential rate and this growth has many online players fighting for top talent. The big US online travel players continue to look at Europe and the UK as key expansion areas. So again, more demand, and in some cases they are looking for individuals with a depth of product experience that could never have been attained solely in the virtual world.
We are also aware of the fact that consumers are increasingly going direct to hotel and airline websites at the expense of online travel intermediaries. So again, growth in visits direct to travel suppliers, will generate the demand for online experience not only in the retail sector, but also in the aviation and hotel sectors. Car Rental and other ancillaries will surely follow this trend.
Many travel companies are now utilising their frequently visited websites to advertise job vacancies, and why not. But as with any agency or intermediary, if you can add significant value, you will always find, and successfully satisfy, customers. We know and understand this industry, and we have the necessary experience in executive search, which offers so much more than just a job board.
January is usually a busy month in recruitment as many employers enter a new fiscal year with the opportunity to bring in new leadership. It is also a time when individuals reassess their careers, which brings a host of new potential candidates in to play. We expect January 2006 to particularly busy and interesting. Happy New Year, and happy hunting!
Charles Kao
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