About John Galligan Travel
John Galligan Travel entered the fiercely competitive business, incentive and vacation travel marketplaces in 1989. Opened by the former Group Operations Director of Ireland's (then) largest travel chain, the Executive Travel Group, JGT started with a clear mission statement. The objective of the green-field company was to provide a better service than that of the most professional established travel agents. It was clear that unless we could offer a significant improvement in quality and service levels, over and above those already available, we could not expect to gain new clients. There was a fundamental difference in approach to service from the new company to that prevailing at the time, and there still is today. The travel business is a very marginal business in terms of profitability. In this environment, it is financially more attractive to grow the business into an entity with a very large turnover. At that point, economies of scale kick in and the fixed overheads become a smaller part of the overall cost structure. However, this overlooks one crucial and fundamental fact. In a highly service orientated business, big is most definitely not beautiful! Large units of up to thirty travel consultants do not succeed in giving a personalized service and in getting to know their clients needs and preferences. It is our policy that operating units within this company should be kept small. In this way, each person on our team knows intimately the requirements, preferences and policies of our clients.
Technology
JGT has a history of involvement in the advancement of technology in Ireland. The Managing Director was Chairman of Automation & Investment Co-Operative Society Limited, which until 2002 was a 26% shareholder of Galileo Ireland. He has also been a Director of Galileo Ireland and was previously Chairman of an ad-hoc committee of the ITAA on back office systems for travel agents. We have been the test site for many innovative products and will continue to do so. We are fully automated with the latest Galileo and web technology. We are linked to all major airlines, car hire and hotel companies on a real time basis. We produce automated documentation and e-tickets to all clients. Our web site is being continually upgraded with the intention of offering the best information and functionality to our clients. State of the art DSL lines, telephone and e-mail systems ensure we are easily contactable at all times. Our computerised accounting and file management systems keep the paperwork under control.
Staff
"Pay peanuts and you will get monkeys". This old adage is never more evident than in a highly people dependent business like travel. To give the best advice, the best range of available options and the most cost effective way of buying an itinerary, we need key experienced and bright people. It is a difficult task to maintain a team with the standards achieved by our people. However, we have managed to do just that and continue today with an experienced team of senior travel consultants. We do not employ any trainees in client contact positions because we feel that experience and "street wisdom" is essential in these areas. We have dedicated teams responsible for advising clients on elegant vacations & short breaks, business travel, incentive & group travel and accounts.
Bridget Moore, Accounts Jennifer Byrne, Groups & Incentives
Location
| JGT is located in new headquarters at Sandyford Industrial Estate - 5 Sandyford Office Park, Dublin 18. This is right across the road from the LUAS Terminus in Sandyford. Our premises are low key and we do not have a conventional shop. Our lounge offers a much more relaxed environment for our clients to consider their travel plans. We prefer to see clients by appointment, and devote time without interruption or queues. Please call us to arrange your private appointment in advance. |
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