Face-to-face Andrew Chan
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Face-to-Face
Andrew Chan, Chief Executive Officer, TMS Asia Pacific
1) You have recently been appointed CEO of TMS Asia Pacific, what is your vision for the future of the company?
In the short term we intend consolidating our position in the countries where we already have a presence. Moving forward our strategy, which has not waivered, is to strategically expand into key growth markets. The end result will see TMS evolving as a multi-dimensional business and the most dominant force in hospitality and travel recruitment on a global scale.
2) These are turbulent times for the tourism industry; how is the recruitment industry being affected by the current troubles?
The recruitment industry has certainly felt the effects together with the tourism Industry. Hiring freezes by companies obviously have an impact on immediate business. However at same time this situation has provided us with an opportunity to meet and pool some fantastic new candidate talent that we know will be highly valued by our clients as the market recovers.
3) What role can TMS play in helping travel companies though this difficult period?
I believe some companies are now caught in a quandary - they need talent for their business, either to fuel growth in certain business units or simply to replace a vacancy but they are finding it difficult to add or replace the headcount. With the influx of strong talent into the market, we have been able to help several of our clients by providing them with access to short term contract staff, a solution which in the current environment offers many employers the ideal solution.
4) TMS already operates several regional offices across Asia - do you have any further expansion plans?
Yes. We are committed to growing the business across strategic markets over the coming two years. As we speak there are decisions being made on several key new openings that we intend announcing over the coming few months.
5) How do you see the travel recruitment industry playing out in 2009?
I see the market continuing to correct itself in the first half of 2009 with a recovery coming towards the second half of the year. This will in turn springboard into a much improved year-end, pushing the recovery along well into 2010.
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