What it Takes to Succeed in the Travel Industry

What does it really take to be a top performer in the travel industry? Bob Baddams, Team Leader at Flight Centre, shares his first-hand insights on what you can do to stand out from the pack.

There are no specific rules or formulas for success in the travel industry, but there are behaviours that can help people succeed. Over the years I’ve worked at Flight Centre, here are some things I’ve picked up about the people who stand out the most.

Attitude matters

When I think about the team leaders that inspired me the most during my time in the travel industry, they all have the following in common:

A positive attitude

As with all jobs, times can be challenging when things don’t go exactly the way you plan. Staying positive is key to maintaining a healthy mindset at work and in your daily life. There’s nothing worse than having work follow you home and letting negativity affect the people you work with.

The desire to improve the people around them

Working in travel is about being a team player, and your success is often dependent on working in good teams. By helping and improving the people around you, it facilitates an environment of learning and feedback where you can build upon each other’s successes.

Tenacity and a drive to succeed

There’s a misconception that working in travel is either a fun side job before your ‘real’ job, or a constant party. Like most jobs, the reality is what you make of it. There are plenty of travel consultants who have worked their way up to senior positions in the company. To do the same, you have to place yourself in this growth mindset and be prepared to work for it.

Know when to get involved, and when to hold back

As someone with expertise in your field, you want to support your people without overwhelming customers or team’s own opinions and approaches. That means finding the right balance between getting involved and holding back.

Stepping back a little gives you a more holistic view of how things are going. That means if anything requiring immediate action pops up, you’ll be the first one to spot it, and you’ll know how to deal with it objectively.

Make sure you love the challenge

People who love challenges excel in the travel industry. The rewards and recognition you get are unmatched compared to the other industries I've worked in. It can be anything from monetary rewards to free trips and awards.

What I find extra special about working in a travel team is the chance to adopt a worldly perspective. You get to deal with a diverse range of people on a daily basis and learn about what makes them unique.

How to succeed at Flight Centre

A big part of Flight Centre’s culture is ownership. If something goes well, you can own it and get rewarded for your efforts. If something goes poorly, your team is there to help you fix it.

Ultimately, to succeed at Flight Centre, you have to be alert, show initiative and seize opportunities. While a passion for travel and helping people is important, it’s hard work and a positive mindset that will set you on the path to success.

Do you have what it takes to succeed? Find out more about a career at Flight Centre Travel Group at fctgcareers.com.