High-end travel management company Winged Boots has created a programme for experienced independent agents to work under its Atol licence and TTA membership.
Recruits to the Black Book Agents Programme will be employed by the Ocean Holidays-owned TMC and be paid monthly commission while maintaining their existing client bases.
The company said they would also be offered marketing, product and operations support and employment benefits including holiday pay, medical insurance and a pension scheme, and will not be required to pay joining fees.
Winged Boots, which specialises in travel arrangements for high net-worth clients, said the option would allow “experienced travel agents who may have been affected by the pandemic to continue to look after their clients’ needs”.
David Ox, managing director, said: “The impact of Covid on the travel industry is profound, with thousands of jobs and families impacted by the pandemic. The Winged Boots Black Book Agents Programme can help some of those impacted by providing a home to experienced luxury travel designers and their network of clients.”
He added: “This programme is the perfect step for someone who has been running their own independent travel agency for a number of years but has seen their income massively impacted by the decline in future bookings and departure-based earnings.
“With Winged Boots’ industry accreditations, agents can work with complete flexibility and effectively run their own business while still receiving the support of an established travel company.”
Winged Boots is part of Essex-based Ocean Holidays, which also includes Florida specialist Ocean Florida and US inbound operator Ocean Beds.