Travel Agents ride out the economic storm

Whilst not exactly providing evidence that the status of the traditional travel agent remains healthy, new research published by the GMB Union shows that the profession has managed to find a place amongst those occupations at the lower end of a dramatic plunge in the standard of living.      

In comparison with the earnings (inflation adjusted) of chartered surveyors, financial technicians, dancers, choreographers and driving instructors which have dipped by around 25% since 2007, travel agents, alongside pilots, teachers, florists, rail staff and librarians, have had to endure a comparatively modest 5% drop.

The GMB research analysed current living standards for full-time workers in 277 occupations and found that on average they had fallen by 5.9% over the last four years.

Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary, said: “These figures show that the Government’s strategy for an economic recovery is in tatters as living standards in the UK drop.

“UK full-time workers in 277 occupations have seen the value of their earnings drop when they have a job. Things have got a lot worse in the past year as the recovery has stalled and the UK is mired in a new recession.

“Two thirds of the economy is consumer driven and George Osborne must be the only person who does not get it. Squeezing wages, pay freezes and cutting jobs will not restart the economy.” 

In a charming footnote, Mr Kenny rounded off his official analysis by stating that Mr Osborne has the “economic literacy of a stick of rhubarb.”