A helpline has been set up by Travel Counsellors for independent travel agency owners “facing turbulent times” in the travel industry. The telephone number is 0161 464 5040.
The decision comes as the fallout from coronavirus continues to impact the sector.
The move follows ex-Freedom Travel boss Matt Harding joining the company head of franchise sales last November after the collapse of Thomas Cook.
His appointment followed the company’s investment in continued business growth support for its former travel agency owners, as well as offering opportunities for members looking to migrate their travel businesses to Travel Counsellors.
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The company has seen an increase in enquiries and bookings to destinations with lesser numbers of cases of coronavirus, including Mexico, South Africa and the Caribbean, over the past month.
Harding said: “Now more than ever it’s key the industry pulls together to support each other, which includes reaching out to smaller, independent agencies and TMCs who may be feeling uncertain about what the future holds for them during his time. The message is that we are here to help.
“The helpline is focused on supporting our friends and peers in the travel industry to assess their current opportunities and take stock.
“We have decades of skills, knowledge and experience housed within the company’s global community alongside a vast array of operating models which can help businesses pivot and adapt in challenging times.”
Travel Counsellors boss: ‘Time to demonstrate value’
Travel Counsellors chief executive Steve Byrne added: “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.
“We feel there is a real synergy between the customer experience that many independent agencies deliver, and the people-focused approach we champion at Travel Counsellors, with a global community of like-minded, caring travel professionals who support and look out for each other, and their customers.”
Byrne added: “For our part we’re focused on supporting our global community of business owners to advise their customers on their corporate and leisure travel plans in the best ways possible.
“Now, more than ever, is the time for experienced, trusted travel advisors to shine, demonstrate their value and show care for their customers like no one else can.”