A Staff Viewpoint - We Are Alive And Kicking

26th September 2008

It's a funny old world. For the last 4 months I've been getting the tube to work and reading about the credit crunch every day in the headlines. Over this same time period I've had the surprising pleasure of a Management Trainee placement with Exodus Travels. I would like to stand up and tell a different story, one that runs against the merchants of doom and gloom in today's world of media headlines. From where I'm standing the travel industry is most definitely alive and kicking and no more so than in a corner of Balham in South London. In fact, I would even go as far as to suggest that maybe some of these media types should get away themselves for a week given the stress of the last 6 months - cycling in Vietnam anyone?

These days Exodus are part of TUI Travel Activity - a very strong group of companies. However, Exodus retains its independence that it has earned over 35 years. What has struck me is the passion amongst the office staff that is matched only by the people who are lucky enough to discover their trips. With departures across the globe that allow the fortunate few to visit breathtakingly beautiful parts of the world, from the Base Camp of Everest to Orang-utans in Borneo, these are trips of a lifetime, and the ideal tonic to the stresses of everyday life.

However, given that some of the headlines that I've endured have sunk in it is relevant to point out that it is not just about the 2 weeks in the Arctic Circle or walking the Inca Trail. Whilst these are both incredible expeditions that are most certainly life changing experiences, there are hundreds of other options here at Exodus that are more affordable but equally challenging and enjoyable. Find yourself cycling in Europe, walking in the Alps, kayaking in Turkey... the list goes on and on.

My four months are finished, but Exodus Travels looks forward to another busy year. The fact remains that however hard the times and however stressful the job - a holiday is still thoroughly deserved. For some, a week on a packed, busy beach in Magaluf is the way forwards, however for the thousands who travel with Exodus each year and realise there is more to a country than a packed watering hole called O'Reillys Irish Bar (not in Ireland but on the 'Costas') and who want to actually want to do more than merely scratch the surface of the country, they are fortunate enough that the possiblities are endless with Exodus.
Oh, and the only watering holes Exodus deals in are those found in Kenya, Namibia... or a well earned drink after a full day on the trail.

David Scott, Management Trainee

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