Innovations such as the introduction of ‘nano breaks’ will aid the travel sector’s recovery, recruiters have claimed.

The move towards shorter one-day breaks, as opposed to weekend trips away, will prove to be a shot in the arm to the sector’s job market, Julia Feuell, managing director at New Frontiers, says.

“Any way that travel companies can become creative, such as the nano break, and increase their sales will have a positive impact on jobs.

“Recessions are the mother of creation. They force companies to ask the question: How else can I make money? Let’s hope the nano break is both popular and profitable as well as convenient for the mini-breakers,” Feuell adds.

Karen Skelton, associate at Management Search Executive, told Recruiter that the  ‘nano break’ has marked the start of increased travelling.

“With many airlines providing early morning and evening flights around the UK and abroad the nano breakers can plan in in advance to maximise their sightseeing and relaxation time and capture the best rates for travel and accommodation - particularly when hotels are flexing their rates.  This will result in more nano breaks as travellers trial new locations without committing to too much expenditure.  Travel companies will need to maintain staffing levels in order to keep up with demand of the ‘nano breakers’.”

Angus Chisholm, managing director at C&M Recruitment, says: “I don’t think the nano breaks will impact jobs negatively at all, I think it’s the industry being smart and creative in more challenging times. Hopefully such initiatives will protect and even create new opportunities going forward.”

Ian Brooks, director at Gail Kenny Executive Search, has a more downbeat assesssment: “I see little impact on jobs in the travel sector, as a one-night stay is hardly going to give a significant boost to the UK hotel industry that is already feeling the effects of the recession. I see any such nano break trends as merely ‘back-filling’ hotel rooms that are now more likely to be empty due to the reduction in general in business and leisure travellers.”