The Business Travel Association (BTA) is trying to encourage more people to start or return to a career in the corporate travel industry and dispel “misconceptions” about working in the sector.

Recruitment has been a serious problem for the sector over the past year as it has struggled to build up staffing levels to cope with the bounce back in business travel following the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused the loss of 62 million jobs globally in the travel and tourism sectors in 2020.

The BTA has now produced a new brochure, called Your Career Can Travel, to tackle “continuing misconceptions” about working in business travel. It also promotes the “flexibility and longevity” of working for travel management companies (TMCs) and offers guidance on how to launch a career in the industry.

Clive Wratten, CEO of the BTA, said: “It is important to highlight that there is no correct way to start a career in travel. The pressure to have the necessary experience or education is a common misunderstanding, and we want to change that. 

“Although a degree or a qualification is a great bonus, transferable skills from various disciplines and a passion for travel really are the only tools you need.”

The new careers publication includes contributions from many of the BTA’s members including ATPI, Clarity, Agiito and TAG, as well as Damar Training. 

“The brochure highlights the variety of opportunities across the travel industry, with TMC professionals kindly sharing their own experiences and journeys,” added Wratten. “A career in the industry really can travel through the ranks and disciplines.”