ALTOUR UK is starting to put a recruitment campaign in place to meet a surge in demand from its clients.
It has reported a big uplift in bookings following the recent easing of restrictions from the UK and saw a “strong finish” to September sales – up over 50% compared with August.
Managing Director Maria Baty said there has been increased demand across the board and clients are showing confidence in restarting travel.
“We are seeing demand rise – and that’s even without a reopening date for the US, which is our biggest market,” she told The Business Travel Magazine.
“We are now starting the process of reengaging with our former employees and starting to think about our recruitment strategy,” she said.
“We are working hard to bolster our teams but it’s a challenge across the whole industry, trying to upscale to meet the demand. Building back up is more difficult than closing down.”
She said sectors where demand has increased the most include the TMCs’ media, entertainment and publishing clients.
“It has been a long 18 months for the business travel industry so it is a huge relief to see bookings begin to rebound,” continued Baty.
“We have clients that want and need to travel imminently and, as we’ve said all along, these travellers will be intrinsic to the overall recovery of the UK’s economy.
“The fact that we are seeing such a remarkable response from clients demonstrates just how much Government travel policies have impacted business.”
She said the removal of South America and Africa from the red list was a pivotal point for the business travel recovery.
ALTOUR UK recently merged with sister company Barrhead Travel’s business travel division and welcomed Good Travel Management to its network.
