Homeworker Jenny Jackson joins team at Travel Counsellors

Well-known travel agent Jenny Jackson has moved from Holidaysplease to Travel Counsellors after an offer to be part of a team which can step in to support her as she battles dementia.

 

Jackson, who has been a travel agent for 26 years and is also the administrator of Travel Agent Rants and Raves Facebook group, was diagnosed with vascular dementia two years ago.

 

She had been an agent for Holidaysplease for three years but was recently approached by colleagues at Travel Counsellors, which bought the homeworking group in 2023. 

 

Sheila Sparkes, a former Holidaysplease agent who now works at Travel Counsellors, suggested setting up as a team of four, including two other colleagues, in order to help Jackson as and when her health deteriorates.

 

Jackson, who has just completed her two-week training for Travel Counsellors, said the new set up would give her peace of mind that her clients would be looked after if she could not fulfil all her bookings or needed help in the future.

 

She said: "It is just extra support for me when I need it. Nothing changes for my clients and I can still look after them at Travel Counsellors. 

 

“The team said they would be happy to support me and we have also talked about splitting commission. I have a very good client base and as and when I give up they will make sure I get something from my regular clients."

 

The only change will be when commission is paid, as Travel Counsellors pays out eight weeks before departure while Holidaysplease gives half the commission to the agent in the month they make the booking.

 

Jackson, whose main market is long-haul and luxury holidays and who runs a separate business under the Luxury Travel Gurus brand, said she would aim to promote more winter holidays and city breaks to ensure she continue to receive a steady flow of commission payments following the switch to Travel Counsellors.

 

She added: “The move wasn’t anything to do with the way Holidaysplease works; I’ve been more than happy there, but this appealed to me. It wasn’t a difficult decision and I think I needed a new challenge."

 

Travel Counsellors director of franchise sales Matt Harding said team set ups were now a popular choice, with around 65% of the group’s agents globally now working in that way to allow consultants to get the support they need to thrive.

 

He said: "We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Jenny to the Travel Counsellors community.

One of the things that makes our business so special is the way our agents come together to support one another - while many work independently, they never feel alone.

 

"Using our industry leading technology, many of our business owners choose to collaborate with others in TC Teams.  By joining a TC team, Jenny will have that extra layer of guidance, friendship and shared experience around her, helping her to grow her business in a way that works best for her.

 

"We’re so proud to have a community where everyone looks out for each other and where we can provide the flexibility and support Jenny needs to thrive.”