Homeworkers at Hays Travel are expected to benefit from a new dynamic packaging system about to be piloted by the independent agency.
The Travelink system, designed by Comtec and already used by Seligo, Sunvil and Thomas Cook-owned specialist travel group UP Trips, has been designed to simplify dynamic packaging.
Hays director of homeworking, call centres and the Independence Group David Hawke said a number of call centre staff and retail agents will pilot the system along with homeworkers, but he believed homeworkers will have the most to gain from it.
“Dynamic packaging is a big part of what we do. It accounts for around 30% of homeworkers’ total business,” said Hawke.
“Homeworkers are successful at adapting to changes in technology and they are probably more experienced.”
Hays has also started to look at ways of giving its homeworkers the opportunity to build up their own client base, rather than relying totally on Teletext leads. This follows similar moves by Future Travel.
Meanwhile, Travel Counsellors brought in a new franchise agreement for its homeworkers and stopped working with Teletext last year.
As with Future Travel, there are no plans to move away from Teletext altogether but agents will be given training and support for local marketing drives.
Homeworkers will also be encouraged to develop specialist areas with agents dedicated to specific sectors such as cruise and long-haul.