Competition for travel jobs hots up
Competition in the travel jobs market is at a record high, according to recruitment consultants C&M, as more new candidates searched for roles in September than in any month since the launch of its Travel Salary Index five years ago.
The number of job seekers has increased year-on-year in every month of 2017, it said.
The latest Travel Salary Index also found that the number of new travel jobs available increased 7% compared to September 2016, but fell by 0.5 per cent from August 2017.
The average pay for a new job in travel has risen 3.25% to £27,203, which is the first time wages have topped £27K since February 2013.
The figure means wages have risen 8.93% since September last year.
Executive salaries reached their highest point since December 2014, and southern wages hit £28,755, their highest level since April 2016.
However, a fall in northern wages meant that the north-south gap widened to £7,614, which is the largest difference in salary since March 2012.
C&M director Barbara Kolosinska said: "Activity is booming in the travel recruitment market with more candidates searching for roles than we have ever seen before. While this means that competition is increasing, there is still a massive demand for quality candidates and there are great opportunities out there for them.
"It’s also hugely encouraging to see salaries for new travel jobs rising to a near record high. This is the first time in four and a half years that average wages have topped £27,000, and with salaries like these on offer, we’re likely to see many more travel professionals entering the market to take advantage of this wage boom."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports