UP-CLOSE … with Jean Claude Volcere, manager Ocean Air Travel |09 September 2014

‘If one wants to reach a higher standard, one needs to have self-confidence’

Jean-Claude Volcere is the manager of Ocean Air Travel, a travel agency based at Oceangate House.
He has been in the airline industry for over 20 years and has worked with the national airline – Air Seychelles – before getting the opportunity to widen his knowledge in the travel agent business.

Today in our Up Close column we shed more light on Jean-Claude and his ‘parcours’ through life before reaching where his is today.
Jean-Claude was born at Baie Lazare on January 31, 1967 and is currently living at Anse François, Pointe Larue, with his girlfriend and daughter. He is the youngest child in a family of five children – two brothers and two sisters.

He went to primary school at Plaisance, did his secondary schooling at Mont Fleuri and then moved to the then Modern school. He later spent two years at the ex-National Youth Service before joining the School of Business Studies & Accounting at the Seychelles Polytechnic.

Love for the job
Jean-Claude is currently working as manager with Ocean Air Travel. He loves his job very much and has been in the airline industry for over 20 years.

“I started with Air Seychelles in 1990 as an accounts assistant in the revenue department. There I had the chance to attend various IATA (International Air Transport Association) courses which no doubt helped to enhance my knowledge in this field.

“I spent seven years with Air Seychelles before getting the opportunity to widen my knowledge in the travel agent business which I am still enjoying. I have attended various courses and workshops both locally and overseas,” said Jean-Claude.

A very good team
Jean-Claude said he likes the very good team spirit at Ocean Air Travel. “We have a very good team and we also have a very good understanding which creates a very good working environment. It helps you to love your job even more.”

Although his job is very demanding, he said he is very passionate at what he does.
 “If one wants to reach a higher standard in life, one needs to have self-confident and be customer-oriented. Regarding what I do, you need to have a very good knowledge on airline reservations and ticketing to be able to provide a very efficient service to your clients,” said Jean-Claude.

Challenges
Jean-Claude says being patient and understanding are the most challenging aspects of the job as nowadays most clients are very demanding and want value for their money.

“We have to understand these challenges and turn them into opportunities. This will help you grow and at the same time you will be able to unfold your abilities,” said Jean-Claude who added that there are few travel agencies in Seychelles.

He noted that these days, clients have the tendency to bargain, so in this business you have to keep a very good standard of service to be able to satisfy your clients.

 Hobbies
My hobbies are cooking, watching sports especially football and my favourite team is Liverpool FC. I spend most of my spare-time with my family at home and sometimes visiting relatives.
What I hate most in life are dishonest people.

Childhood days
“My childhood was very hard. I could remember my mother being continuously ill, so I was mostly brought up by my brothers and sisters and sometimes other relatives. I spent my childhood mostly at Plaisance and Corgate Estate but what I enjoyed most at that time was that my family was very united. I am very grateful to them,” said Jean-Claude.

He said they did not have much but survived on what they had. His father was a very well-known fisherman in his days and he can still remember sometimes going fishing with him during the school holidays. It was fun, he said.

Worst moment
“The worse moment was when I lost my mother. I was only 11 years old and even if it was hard I kept going. I believed one day things would be better. It has paid off,” he said.
He added that unfortunately his father also passed away in August 2000.

 Memorable moment
Jean-Claude’s most memorable moment is when he got his first pay check.
“The most memorable moment was when I received my first salary. I knew that now I was finally independent and could start helping my family who had done so much for me during the hardship,” he said.

His hope for the future is to see our nation unite. “I would like to see a better society. But to have a better society, we should first set our hearts right,” he said.

“We have to remember, whatever you give in life, it will come back to you. So if we love others, the love you give will come back to you. It is only by thinking in such a way that we can live in harmony,” concluded Jean-Claude.   

By Marylene Julie