TUI Travel operates a global portfolio of businesses, employing approximately 50,000 people across the Group.  Although businesses within our portfolio are at various stages of development and maturity, together we share a common vision and set of values.  Our aim is to build the most capable and engaged teams to deliver optimum business performance and thereby support the goals of delivering high performance to create superior shareholder value and career fulfilment for all of our colleagues.

We are proud of the commitment and dedication of our colleagues in delivering the levels of service and efficiency which make us stand out from our competitors.  Everyone is valued for their skills and talents and every effort is made to support them to achieve their full potential.

Leadership capability is key to our success and we therefore continue to invest in developing our leaders.  A number of our senior managers have had the opportunity of attending a leadership programme working in a community in Costa Rica.  This is a Groupwide programme, which builds the skills and capability of those with the greatest responsibility for leadership and strategy, as well as supporting our sustainable development tourism goals.  There is also a Groupwide management programme targeted at middle management and an international trainee programme through which we recruit and develop young talent.  

Retaining key people is critical to our continued business success particularly in times of change.  Talent across the Group is reviewed regularly at Board level and our focus is to retain and develop individuals to drive the business forward.  We actively promote people to career opportunities across the Group to enhance the mix of professional, entrepreneurial and general management skills.  To meet seasonal demands, where possible, we move our top performing frontline colleagues between retail, overseas representation and airline cabin crew roles.  This develops a multi-skilled workforce with year-round experience of delivering service to our customers. For further information see the Report of the Directors page 39.