Travel Counsellors sees rise in interest from independent agents
Travel Counsellors has reported an increase in interest from independent travel agencies looking to migrate their businesses to the company’s platform support model.
It is in discussions with more than 10 agency owners, it said.
Prior to the Covid-19 crisis, the number of corporate and leisure businesses using the platform was increasing 25% a year.
Travel Counsellors Corporate Travel MD Kieran Hartwell said: "The conversations we’re having with agency owners are revealing that despite many businesses being able to open again, the period of time they remained closed has provided pause to reflect.
"It’s key that the industry now pulls together to support each other, which includes reaching out to smaller, independent agencies and travel management companies who may still be feeling uncertain about the future, with the message is that we are here to help, and more importantly, we are here to help keep talented people in an industry they love."
A recent survey of nearly 400 people in the company’s recruitment audiences revealed that 65% of travel professionals were concerned about their future career in travel, with a third of the respondents confirming they were currently on furlough.
Despite concerns, 70% said they still felt confident about running a travel business from home in the future, with 60% saying they’re still planning to launch a new business this year.
Overall, the company’s enquiries to launch new leisure and corporate business with Travel Counsellors are up by 20%.
The survey further revealed that one of the main concerns potential new business owners had is ensuring complete financial protection for their customers in deciding who to migrate their travel agency to, or launch a new business with.
Travel Counsellors CEO Steve Byrne said: "We have a proven, successful business model supported by a technology and community-powered platform, and we want to ensure that passionate, dedicated and knowledgeable professionals who have built successful travel businesses over many years feel like they always have somewhere to turn to for help and advice, and are aware of the opportunities available to them."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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