Most agents are feeling the pinch this year as average annual salaries have remained stagnant or dipped compared to 2011 figures. Flight Centre is the only agency to show an average salary increase from last year, which coincides with an increase in gross sales and revenue for the company. “They offer an uncapped commission structure, so it’s dependent on the individual consultants to earn a higher salary,” Travel Trade Recruitment sales director Cliff Price said.
The Travel Weekly Salary Survey also revealed that agency owners work only one hour more than managers on average per week. But before the managers among you start to cry foul, Adriana D’Angelis of AA Appointments points out that some independent agency owners employ a manager so that they can work less time in the business. On the other hand, Melissa Schembri, director of C&M Travel Recruitment, believes the close partnership between owners and managers leads to similar work hours.
