Former Jet2holidays manager seeks salespeople to join new venture
Former Jet2holidays sales manager Craig Davidson has launched a flexible resourcing provider to the travel industry, called Flexi Reps.
It’s being backed by former If Only CEO Andy Freeth, who becomes non-executive director. Andy’s wife Kelly Freeth, a travel agent with over 20 years’ experience, has joined as Craig’s business partner.
The team said they are initially targeting businesses looking for a trade boost.
They said: "Many brands hard hit in recent months will have let their field sales teams go, the pair feel that over the coming weeks and months brands may need a short burst of agent activity to create a buzz, launch a brochure or get the trade behind a campaign or incentive.
"Paying teams all year is tough to justify while the market slowly recovers but brands will still need a presence and awareness."
Craig added: "We want to help brands raise awareness with cost effective solutions, keep travel industry colleagues busy and support industry recognised charities. In the first 24 months, we pledge to give 10% of all profits to ABTA lifeline. Every year after this we’ll pledge to a new trade charity."
He is on the search for any field salespeople who have recently been made redundant to sign up with their agency and is keen to talk to any businesses wanting flexible trade sales support.
He added: "We know brands will want to have a presence amongst agents but may not be able to justify year-round sales teams in the current climate.
"We aim to be the place to go for companies needing temporary resource. Our flexible resourcing means businesses can tap into high calibre reps who can deliver their USPs at a fraction of the annual cost.
"We can work with tourist boards, hotel groups, cruise companies, tour operators and airlines to generate noise about product launches, incentives, brochure launches or even simply to instil confidence in their new Covid-19 protocols. Customer confidence in travelling is key and travel agents are the best placed to offer consumers advice.
Kelly added "I have met 100s of reps over the years and they really add value to businesses by training agents and raising awareness. I completely understand why brands have had to cut back and, from a travel agents perspective, it’s really sad to see but with our flexible solution we can keep agents trained, informed and connected to brands with short burst activity."
Email: [email protected]
By Lisa James, Deputy Editor (UK)
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports