JAC Travel Scotland

Scotland is not only proving a popular destination with customers of JAC Travel Scotland

The firm's Edinburgh-based workforce includes a large proportion of foreign nationals, who have chosen to work in Scotland in the short term, if not for longer – presently, around 40% come from abroad.

Their contributions as specialist account handlers have played a key role in the growth of JAC Travel's wholesale service of organising itineraries and touring packages in Scotland for the worldwide travel trade.

Range of skills

Managing director Iain Limond says: "Our customers, who are overseas tour operators, generally prefer to deal with a native speaker from their own country. Having staff, who can identify at first hand with the cultures of our different markets, is very important.

"While our foreign staff mainly come from European countries, we also have some from as far afield as Japan, reflecting the growth of our business into that country from 2003.

"Apart from their excellent linguistic and personal skills, we look for applicants with qualifications in international relations, marketing or tourism.

Recruitment network

 "Our foreign staff have integrated very well. Just as their reasons for being in Scotland vary, so do our own sources for finding staff.

"These range from local services, such as Jobcentre Plus, to more informal methods, including links with overseas universities and word-of-mouth contacts through existing staff."

"As we develop our sales further into new geographical markets, we are always looking out for new recruits to enhance our staffing and add to our language service portfolio." 

Iain says the company is now targeting the Russian market as part of its next phase of growth. He hopes to make use of the Fresh Talent programme in securing work permits and visas when recruiting Russian staff.

Best of both worlds

"Selling Scotland for a living is very satisfying,” he adds. "Tourism is a fantastic industry in which to work.

"Scotland's image abroad has improved markedly with the country highly rated as an aspirational destination. Its mix of vibrant urban attractions and dramatic range of landscape scenes within easy range is unrivalled.

"And while it has always been famed for its natural produce, this is now matched by an excellent reputation for the quality of its food as well as hotels."

Find out more about JAC Travel at www.jacscotland.com.