Vacation.com brings young professionals together

As the industry begins to focus its attention more and more on the increasing Millennial market, there appears to be growing concern about who will step in to support the development of travel’s changing landscape once the more experienced professionals begin retiring.

Vacation.com and Travel Leaders Group recognizes the importance of having young professionals succeed in the trade, and is taking steps to ensure they receive the support they need.

“We have an aging agent community, where many are reaching retirement age, and we need that new generation to fill the gap that will be left behind,” Christine James, CTM and vice-president Canada for Vacation.com told PAX.

The company held its first annual young professionals event in Toronto last night, with the objective of bringing emerging agents under the age of 40 together to network with their peers.

The event was supported by Vacation.com and Travel Leaders Group's sponsors, which included G Adventures, Globus, TravelBrands and WestJet, and welcomed a number of industry members who were enthusiastic about the ability to meet and greet others who shared their passion for travel.

Hosting youth-focused events, sessions and panel discussions has been Travel Leaders Group's practice for the past three years, beginning in the U.S. at its annual conference with a casual gathering of 25 people. As interest grew, so did the demand for more events, prompting the Canadian team to reach out to its own community.

“Our goal is to host more of these smaller, city-based events because that’s how the Millennial professionals will be able to meet each other and network,” James said, going on to explain that the initiative is, in part, Vacation.com’s response to concerns voiced at advisory board meetings about the absence of young blood in the industry.

According to Nicole Galowin, senior director, executive office & member services for Travel Leaders Group, it’s a valid issue, but in order for emerging professionals to learn the business of travel, feel confident in their vocation and make successful livings, it takes effort from all sides.

“There are resources out there that are designed specifically for Millennials in travel, and a lot of them are free to join,” she pointed out, suggesting that young professionals who are serious about building a career in travel join as many groups and organizations as they can. It’s also a matter of established brands reaching out to Millennials, as they can benefit from their expertise.

“It’s about supporting younger professionals as they enter the travel industry,” she told PAX, “and to help more young people understand how wonderful it is, and how possible it is for them to be successful.”

Among Vacation.com’s initiatives are its Facebook page and newsletter, which connects members to other Millennials in travel, and spotlights news and career development opportunities geared toward their age group.

Travel Leaders Group also heads up Travel Leaders of Tomorrow, which provides courses and job training opportunities to new talent, including placements in agencies. According to James, while programs like this are a great way to support open communication between emerging professionals and support their growth, industry-wide cooperation on the matter is still required.

“It’s a little naïve perhaps,” James said, “to think that there’s an endless supply of people entering the industry that will be able to fill the positions that will need replacing. If you look at the statistics, Millennials will make up 30 per cent of our population in five years. So this can’t be ignored – it’s a reality we have to face.”

PHOTO: Matt McCarthy, senior training specialist, Vacation.com; Justin Wegiel, regional sales manager, G Adventures; Josh Knox, agency sales, WestJet; Anju Bliss, account manager; Tanya States, business development manager, TravelBrands; Hecktor Kaczuga -  business development manager, Globus family of Brands; Jennifer Matthews, national accounts manager, TravelBrands; Polina Rabenok, inside sales coordinator, Vacation.com; Nicole Galowin, senior director, executive office & member services, Travel Leaders Group; Christine James, CTM, vice president Canada, Vacation.com; Kristin Nunez, event planner, Vacation.com; Linda Khanna, business solutions manager, Vacation.com