A RETIRED travel industry expert has made a comeback to the industry — to teach young sales staff how to sell to people like himself.

Andrew Dickson who founded the St Andrews Travel Group in 1983 and ran it for 25 years before selling it to a South African hotel group is now working as a consultant for Manchester based Scenic Tours and River Cruises.

Scenic's managing director Chris Townson said: "We really wanted to improve our overall customer experience.

"Andrew was a great fit for us after running a very successful retail travel operation with high end product and best customer service centric to his proposition.

"So he knows the best way to create great customer service for the end customer.

"Andrew is also the picture perfect Scenic customer. He's a 60-plus, high-end client, demanding great service and money and time rich.

"Rather than having a training person come in at similar age to our own team — Andrew being exactly the right demographic has really brought our team to see the customer experience from his end.

"We're delighted with the improvements already seen in the service levels and we intend to develop and improve what we do with Andrew."

Mr Dickson started working in the travel industry aged 21 and started his own business here in Bolton in 1983 — employing just himself in that first year.

His firm developed into one of the largest independent travel agencies in the UK year and when he sold the business, it employed 75 staff and had a turnover of £25 million.

Mr Dickson said: "I have known Chris for many years and Scenic have been experiencing some huge growth recently.

"We met briefly and found that there were several areas where I could help Chris, especially with the growth he has been experiencing.

"Because of the hugely competitive retail market St Andrews Travel specialised in dealing with only the top end of the holiday market, in luxury experiences, long haul travel and cruises.

"Dealing with wealthy middle aged clients needs certain skills and they are very demanding and need treating with care and enjoy great customer service.

"That is one of the areas I have been working on."

Mr Dickson, who is also the Chairman of 96.5 Bolton FM, added: "It is good to keep busy with my various interests but once you have worked in travel it's in your blood and I am thrilled to be back and making a difference "