Published on Monday, September 28, 2020
InteleTravel says membership has boomed during the pandemic and the homeworking company now has 10,556 members throughout the UK and the Channel Islands.
In the five months from 1 March and 31 July, InteleTravel signed 4,000 agents.
The company is on target for a record £25m of travel sales from the UK in 2020, up from £12m last year, in its first full year of trading.
A focus on training and education with over 60 suppliers, including a course entitled 'Selling Skills for Groups', resulted in travel sales of £8m from June to August.
InteleTravel founder and president James Ferrara said the figures were a vindication of its business model and he was proud to offer people new careers during the current crisis.
"During this pandemic we have seen an energetic enrollment of new agents," he said.
"We've been bolstered by travel industry professionals who have seen their opportunities limited, but we're also bringing new people into the market from outside travel. Our suppliers respect and like this strategy.
"This crisis has given people cause to reassess their priorities and opened their minds to new options. Many now want the quality of life that comes with working from home and not trudging into an office every day and that's part of why we are experiencing a boom."
Ferrara said an attraction for new recruits was that they incurred little risk by joining InteleTravel. Agents pay a sign-up fee of £142 and a monthly membership fee of £32 to access its commercial rates, booking technology and back office support. However, this lower entry cost requires an ongoing rigorous training and testing programme.
"We offer people a soft landing, the ability to own their own business for a low cost. That's something that should be applauded, particularly in this climate," he added.
"Our agents have been called hobbyists as some kind of insult. We embrace the term. It celebrates the flexibility that allows you to choose to work on a Saturday morning or seven days a week and every shade in between if you wish.
"Of course, you can be part-time and still be ethical, professional, have quality control and be trained. We offer the best training available in the industry."
EasyJet urges customers to return to UK as it axes flights
More countries block passenger flights from the UK
Sandals' founder and Chairman Gordon 'Butch' Stewart has died
Ryanair warns it may axe all UK flights from the end of January
Best and worst airlines for Covid response named and shamed
Travel ban to be extended to millions more in England
Ski operator Alpine Elements to relaunch after calling in administrators
What is GoodtoGo?
Submit your news
or special offer
Current Asia/Pacific Special Edition
Destination Marketing Campaigns explained by Brightons 'Never Normal' Team
Sri Lanka 2021 - its the place to be
Patricia Rossello CEO of Roibos Technology talks through thier Hotel Distribution Marketplace
Chris Lee of Thailand Tourism talks about the plans for 2021
Air Transat launch direct booking portal for the UK trade
You can book now your advertisement for via our online booking service or find out more.
Post your comment
Your Comments
NOTE: Comments are subject to admin approval before being posted.
Perhaps we should change the name to NotsointelligentTravel, that or buy Mr Ferrara a calculator. 25 million sales with 10,556 agents is a total of 2368 per agent and if they made 10% that would be 236 profit per agent less their start up cost of 142....and less 12 months at 35... they are all in the negative!! Would love to see their training programme...! What a con... I will make you all travel agents for 15 a month x 10,000 that is not a bad return....FOR ME.
By Peter Mackness, Tuesday, September 29, 2020