Company Goes Global To Lure Back Travelling Kiwis

3 September 2004

Travel Company Goes Global To Lure Back Travelling Kiwis

Recruiting travellers for the travel industry may seem like a good way to increase staff turnover but it is exactly what New Zealand's largest travel agency is setting out to do.

Heading off to London for the Opportunities New Zealand Expo in October, recruitment manager for Flight Centre NZ Richard Clowes said Kiwis looking to return home from their travels are the perfect solution to the travel industry's employment shortage.

“They have a love of travel, they can tell the tales and most of all, they are looking at coming home. By offering a clear and rewarding career path hopefully we can make it even more appealing to return.”

The Opportunities New Zealand Expo is held on October 16 and 17 in central London and is dedicated to people who want to work and live in New Zealand. It will feature more than 60 exhibitors - mainly employers from New Zealand - offering a range of services related to moving to New Zealand. Career opportunities, shipping services, investment advice and advice on property are just some of what will be on offer.

Mr Clowes said they already get a significant number of excellent candidates join Flight Centre on return from their travels and the marriage is often a success.

“We are finding that people are recognising that the travel industry can offer a career path that can put that travel experience and knowledge to good use,” he said.

A climate of low unemployment combined with FC's expansion plans mean finding good staff is an even higher priority, said Clowes, and travelling Kiwis are the perfect fit.

“With 20 new stores planned over the next year and a drive to upstaff existing stores, we'll be looking at taking on around 200 new staff in the next 12 months” he said.

Mr Clowes said the company was not necessarily looking for those with industry experience as their inhouse training school can train for all the required skills.

“We have found that a passion for travel and some life experience are the perfect ingredients for a great career in travel. Kiwis living in London tend to have all that.”

ENDS

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