TMS releases 2007 Australian Travel and Hospitality Industry Salary Survey

TMS Asia-Pacific has released the results of its 2007 Travel and Hospitality Industry Salary Survey.

TMS General Manager Australia & New Zealand, Ainslie Hunt said the primary purpose of the web-based annual review, inaugurated last year, is to independently assess the total remuneration packages of consultants and management at all levels throughout the Australian industry.

This year the recruitment and executive search specialist invited input from more than 1700 respondents chosen at random from the company’s database with all data collated by TMS on an internal basis.

The survey was conducted via an Internet survey link. Responses received numbered more than 300 companies.  

“The end benefits of these surveys are manifold,” Ms Hunt said.

“In the first instance the survey allows organisations to ensure they are paying market rates thereby maintaining their competitive edge.

“The survey also reviews the link between salary and non-financial benefits and the impact on job satisfaction and retention levels.

“This enables us to paint an accurate industry picture rather than relying on anecdotal evidence.”

Ms Hunt said that employers should remember that salary is rarely the entire reason someone makes a decision to either join or leave an organization – as evidenced by the salary survey results.

“Opportunities for career and skill development, engagement with the organisation, a sense of community and team and true flexibility are equally if not more important than salary,” she said.

TMS conducted a similar survey in New Zealand last March. The company is also planning similar exercises in each of its other key areas of operation. These include Asia, the Middle East and the UK.

MAIN POINTS 

CASH VERSUS CAREER PROGRESSION

The TMS Asia Pacific Salary Survey showed that 81 per cent of respondents rated salary as Important in their decision making when accepting a new position.   However 92 per cent of respondents rated career progression as important or very important.

INCREASED SALARIES 

The salaries of those surveyed ranged from $21,000 to a high of $750,000 per annum. The average salary of all respondents was $68,723 reflecting an increase of close to 13 per cent on the 2006 results.

The highest base salaries are earned by those in sales, marketing and general management. Those in consultant roles earned the least. Upper Management positions average between $110,000 and $156,000.   Middle Management positions (including sales and business development) are earning between $52,000 and $96,000.  The highest salary recorded for a travel consultant was $75,000.   

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Bonuses and Holiday Loading scored the highest (21 per cent each) in a large list of benefits included in the survey.

A free format area enabled respondents to list several more benefits received.

These included gym memberships, discounted or free travel for personal holidays, health services, airline lounge memberships and payments towards higher education.   

GEN Y FACTOR

The Generation Y demographic is creative, innovative and resourceful but often labelled as being more demanding with a lesser sense of company loyalty. The TMS Salary Survey shows 43 per cent of Gen Y’ers currently working in the industry has been working with their current employer for less than 12 months. This figure is coupled with 35 per cent of employees working within the same organization for less than five years.

This is a clear indication that while the travel industry has been very successful in attracting Gen Y’ers, employers face challenges retaining them. Gen Y candidates expect their jobs to be fun, interesting and a means to furthering their careers. An enjoyable work environment and good staff relationships are also seen as major factors for retention and loyalty.

The TMS Australian Travel and Hospitality Industry Survey can be viewed in full at www.tmsap.com.

A Report by The Mole brought to you by TMS