The South African
travel sector, like
most industries in
the country, constantly
needs to recruit, develop
and retain talent within
the industry. Add to this
the impact of constant
changes in corporate
travel, whether they are
regulatory, company
policy or personal
preferences, and it
becomes even more
necessary for travel
agents and travel buyers
to receive ongoing and
relevant training.
This was the message
from Diners Club head
of corporate cards,
Kevin Lomax, who was
speaking on the sidelines
of industry association,
GBTA SA’s Advanced
Principles of Business
Travel Management
course.
The training session,
which took place over
two days, was hosted
at the Diners Club
offices in Hyde Park
in Johannesburg. The
course is intended for
travel buyers overseeing
a managed business
travel programme and
focuses on the key
competencies required
of business travel
professionals.
“Constant training
helps travel professionals
understand the changing
landscapes that they
– and their clients –
operate in, and equips
them to serve their
clients better,” Kevin
said. “Many people
have come into the
travel industry without
necessarily having a
background in travel.
These courses offer
a means for them to
receive formalised
training,” he said.
Even if someone
had been in the travel
industry for many
years, the fact that the
industry was constantly
changing meant there
was always room for
development, said Diners
Club managing director,
Lesego ChaukeMotshwane.
“This is why
we try to do our bit as
Diners Club to contribute
to upskilling the travel
industry,” she said.
“Associations and
travel companies are
welcome to get in touch
with us to enquire about
hosting their training
sessions at our offices.
We want to collaborate
with associations and
companies to upskill the
industry, while showing
the travel industry who
we are and illustrating
why we are such a
strong player in this
sector,” Lesego said.
Diners Club is a
platinum sponsor
of GBTA SA. The
association, which is
a non-profit industry
body, offers various
educational platforms to
industry professionals,
fuelling knowledge and
advancement in the
marketplace. Howard
Stephens, chairperson
of GBTA SA, said
collaborating with
sponsors was key to
fulfilling this aim.
“We don’t take training
seriously enough in
the travel industry.
Professionals need
to take the time to
develop and learn from
one another. Through
collaboration, we as
travel associations and
companies can do this
efficiently, to the benefit
all parties concerned,”
said Howard.
Bring it home
Bringing it home
Diners Club is prioritising
the upskilling of its own
staff as well. Last year, all
Diners Club relationship
managers completed the
GBTA SA’s Fundamentals
of Business Travel
Management course
in a bid to learn what
it is like to be a travel
buyer. A few more Diners
staff will go through
the Advanced Travel
Management courses
during this year, so that
they fully understand
the challenges of their
clients.
