Travel salaries rise fastest in north
Travel salaries in the north of the UK rose strongly last month, but those in the south fell to a yearly low.
Data from the Travel Salary Index produced by recruitment specialists C&M show that the overall monthly rise for a typical job in travel in the north was just over 4%.
The increase boosted the average salary to £22,891, the highest since January, with the highest earning jobs in Manchester.
However, wages dipped 0.38% in the south, pushing the average earnings down to £26,396, the lowest since last November.
This means that salaries in the north have risen three times in the past four months, while southern wages have dipped three times in the same period.
Overall, travel salaries fell by 1.58% in July to £25,399, which is the lowest figure in 2015 so far, but it is still 0.89% up from the same month last year.
Despite July’s figure falling to the lowest point since last October, it remains above the average 2015 monthly figure.
C&M director Barbara Kolosinska said: "Salaries for new travel jobs in Manchester and across the rest of the north excelled in July with wages rising by an average of 4.19 per cent. This is the third rise in the past four months and it is clearly now a great time for job seekers to take advantage of the attractive salaries on offer.
"Overall, travel salaries in the UK fell last month, but this has been an exceptionally strong year so far for travel wages, with many companies continuing to increase their salaries and benefits packages in order to attract top quality candidates."
Both the number of new travel jobs being made available and the number of candidates searching for roles fell slightly in July, as the summer slowdown began to kick in, according to C&M.
With many people taking holidays in the latter half of summer, the period is traditionally one of the quietest of the year for the travel recruitment sector, but activity is expected to pick up strongly in September, it said.
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
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