Travel salaries soar
Average pay for the typical new travel job has risen to its highest recorded level, according to the latest Travel Salary Index from recruitment firm C&M.
It shows that average salaries for new standard travel jobs have risen 3.36% compared with May last year, following a 4.92% rise last month.
The average job now pays £23,607.
Much of the rise was due to the 6.70% monthly spike in northern salaries, which saw wages for new travel jobs in the area reach their highest point since May 2014.
Overall, average travel wages stood at £26,068 in May, which was their second highest figure in the past year, despite a 0.33% dip from April.
C&M director Barbara Kolosinska said: "With an average of £23,607, the typical new travel job in the UK is now paying more than ever before! This means that job seekers across the country have a wealth of roles available to them, many of which come with very attractive salaries.
"We also had an exceptional month in the north. With a jump of 6.70%, northern travel salaries have reached a three-year high and are up over 10% from the same point last year. That’s a stunning figure and is largely a result of the higher wages being offered for some business travel consultant roles in Manchester, Edinburgh and in the north-east."
Following an increase of 17%, May saw the highest number of job vacancies since April 2015. There was a 15% rise in candidate registrations.
Kolosinska added: "There seems to be no let-up in activity in 2017. Once again, we have seen more travel jobs being made available than at the same point last year as well as more candidates searching for new roles. This can only be good for the industry as it shows that great candidates are feeling confident enough to look for new opportunities and are available to companies offering the right package."
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
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
All eyes on Qatar as Qatar Airways leads a season of global events