Thompsons Inbound
Here reservations are made for travelers to Southern Africa from across the globe! The Division's Head Office is located in Durban, South Africa, in lovely modern offices. Daily contact with Tour Operators around the world, some in different time zones, means that e-mail is the most efficient means of correspondence. It is an exciting, challenging business for those that love Southern Africa and enjoy the challenge of creating holidays for visitors to this part of the world, and making dreams come true. Once in the sales environment there are opportunities to travel through the Company within South and Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. Says Edward Mitchell, Sales Manager, "it has the dynamics of a large organisation, but the personal attention of a small operation".
A day in the life of an Inbound Travel Consultant - find out more

A day in the life of a Client Service Officer (CSO) - find out more

Thompsons Tours
This Division arranges travel for South Africans travelling out of South Africa to countries around the world, including Africa, Europe, the Americas, the Far East, Middle East and Australia. It has offices in Durban and Cape Town, with its brand new Head Office situated in Gallo Manor, Johannesburg. It is a wholesale Tour Operator meaning that its customers are South African Travel Agents, rather than the General Public. Quotations are supplied and bookings made, which include accommodation, air tickets, car hire, transfers and activities. Most correspondence is by e-mail, but there is also a lot of telephone communication, which means that Consultants get to know their clients well and deal with them on a regular basis. Travel opportunities through the Company are there for everyone in the sales environment, both locally and internationally, depending on the product range sold. Thompsons Tours" Department Manager, Shaun Gadiah, says, "there are always challenges and each day you learn something new".


Thompsons Touring & Safaris
This is the vehicle arm of the business, operating its own fleet of micro-busses, Volares mini coaches and open game-viewing vehicles, all of which provide any service, from a simple airport transfer, to day tours, to full overland escorted long-distance tours around South Africa and Southern Africa. This Division employs over 70 permanent drivers and guides in its 16 offices located around Southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Namibia and Mozambique. Its Head Office is in Durban in the newly-established West End Office Park. This is the engine room of the business where packages tours are created and costed, brochures are produced and distributed throughout the region.

Pentravel
Pentravel is a retail Travel Agency that sells travel arrangements directly to the public either by telephone of via its 20 travel shops, located in major centres around SA, and its web site, www.pentravel.com. Here, specialised leisure travel services are provided to destinations within SA or internationally. Travel Consultants deal face to face with their clients making their personal travel arrangements, in a comfortable and friendly environment. The Company offers its Consultants opportunities for Educational Travel and Discounted Travel as well as opportunities for promotion to Management level.


Thompsons Travel & Thompsons Corporate
Thompsons Travel is a retail Travel Agency offering travel arrangements to both the leisure and corporate markets. Thompsons Leisure arranges leisure holidays directly for the public.



Thompsons Corporate deals with business travel arrangements for Companies, from small one-man operations to large organisations. Thompsons Travel has offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Its staff are well-travelled and are passionate about offering a professional and friendly service. "It Is a dynamic, vibrant and exciting environment to work in and an open door to future growth" says Albie Swartz, Travel Manager, Thompsons Corporate.
A day in the life of a Leisure Travel Consultant - find out more

A day in the life of a Corporate Travel Consultant - find out more

Training
The Thompsons Travel Group has a well-established, on-going, training programme for its new and existing employees. Its permanent in-house training team have developed a training programme designed specifically for new staff, which incorporates computer programmes and product training necessary to get a head start in their Department. Existing staff are trained on new computer and product developments. Outside suppliers also visit on a regular basis to train staff on their specific product which could an hotel, game reserve, activity or service. The on-the-job training offered is invaluable. It gives one the opportunity to learn while you earn.

Work Environment
Apart from its modern, comfortable offices, and its technologically advanced computer and communication systems, the Thompsons Travel Group fosters a culture of teamwork, friendliness and fun. This big family of people work together, supporting each other and caring for their customers in order to achieve its primary goal, which is customer satisfaction. There are many opportunities for personal growth, which would be an asset to any CV. Regular interaction with customers and suppliers encourages the formation of many friendships in the many facets of the industry.