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Apprentice Lucy sets £485,000 sales record
Amie Keeley
amie.keeley@
travelweekly.co.uk
A talented young travel agent’s career has got off to a flying start after she made a record-breaking £485,000 worth of sales in a year.
Lucy Glynn, a 20-year-old
apprentice at Althams Travel, secured 633 passenger bookings, the highest any apprentice has made since the agency chain in the north of England began recording staff performance. She was also the third
best-performing agent in her branch, which has 10 staff, for revenue booked in 2015, and ranked 41st out of 180 staff across the company. Glynn was recognised for
her efforts when she won the company’s Vicky Bryant Award for best young person in December. Managing director Eddie Starkie
said her potential had “shone through” at the company, which has 31 branches in Lancashire, Yorkshire and Humberside. “Her willingness to learn
and mature nature means she has flourished,” he said.
Althams chief Eddie Starkie with award-winning Lucy Glynn
“The figures speak for themselves
and Lucy has proved to be a vital member of the team.” Glynn started working at Althams Travel’s branch in Nelson, Lancashire, in July 2014 after finishing her A-levels, before moving to the Burnley branch in January 2015, where she remains. Althams Travel takes on 10
apprentices on average a year. Glynn puts her success down to good customer service and getting
as excited as the customer about their holiday. “I’ve always wanted to work
with people and I try and make my job all about customer service,” she said. “I try to be happy and polite with customers, which I think makes a big difference. “The customer is investing a
lot of money so I want to make sure they enjoy it. “I want to be as excited for them as they are about going away.”
5 McCall: Being in EU ‘vital to airlines’
Ian Taylor
ian.taylor@travelweekly.co.uk
EU membership is “vital to airlines and passengers”, says easyJet boss Carolyn McCall, who spoke out ahead of this week’s European summit to decide the terms on which Britain could remain a member.
McCall, a member of the Business Advisory Group to David Cameron, hailed the benefits of EC consumer regulation and claimed in the Sunday Times: “How much
you pay for your holiday depends on how much influence Britain has in Europe.” Former Tui chief executive Peter
Long suggested the alignment of foreign ministries in the EU “is helpful in ensuring the security of travellers”, and added: “I don’t believe we would have created a pan-European company had we not been in Europe.” Members of the UKinbound association came out in favour of staying in the EU, but industry lobby group the Tourism Alliance confirmed it would not take
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travelweekly.co.uk 18 February 2016
“How much you pay for a holiday depends on how much influence Britain has in Europe”
an official view, as did leading companies. Thomas Cook chief executive
Peter Fankhauser said: “The decision on whether or not to remain in the EU is a matter for the British people. Our job is to ensure we are prepared whatever the outcome.” BA parent IAG declined
to give a view, but confirmed Willie Walsh’s personal opinion that “the UK should remain in the EU, but the EU needs reform”. Alan Bowen, legal adviser to the Association of Atol Companies, said: “[Brexit] would have a big impact. Being in the EU allows airlines to fly between any two points in Europe. Tui might have to look at contracting separately [in different markets].” Abta was due to complete a members’ consultation on the
implications of Brexit this week. › UKinbound Convention, page 64
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