A new luxury franchise business is targeting experienced travel professionals who have been forced to leave the industry as a result of the pandemic.
Travelosophers is poised to launch in November, backed by tour operator Cyplon Holidays and spearheaded by Stephanie Robins, who will continue in her role as head of national sales at Cyplon.
The homeworking business is a member of Advantage Travel Partnership and has recruited Nisha Bean, who previously worked for First Class Holidays, as business development manager.
Robins said: “The pandemic has been an incredibly tough period for so many good travel people and agencies. I am so passionate about the trade and so when an opportunity arose to help support some talented travel professionals who have lost their jobs it was just too good to refuse.”
The business, which aims to provide a cost-effective model for agents to set up their own businesses from home, hopes to recruit experienced professionals who have been forced to leave the industry because of the pandemic.
Bean said: “There haven’t been mass redundancies in the industry but I think we will see the number gradually increasing. We’re interested in agents with at least a couple of years’ experience.”
The business is not targeting a specific number and has not begun recruiting agents yet, she added.
The brand is based on the premise that to make a holiday special it requires a deeper understanding of the motivation for the trip, and a person’s ‘travel philosophy’. It aims to offer ‘exceptional service levels’ and expertise.
Bean added: “It’s been tough to keep this news under wraps for the past few months but I’m incredibly excited to start showcasing our offering to any interested travel professionals.”
There is no joining fee for agents, who will be expected to generate their own sales leads.
The business will charge ‘low monthly costs’ and offer commissions of up to 75% as well as access to Advantage’s commercial deals and systems to allow dynamic packaging, and an integrated CRM system. Administration costs will be covered by Travelosophers.
Robins added: “Both Nisha and I are bursting with excitement to get started in building a close-knit family of outstanding travel professionals, who can provide clients with unrivalled knowledge and exceptional service. If you think we can help, please do get in touch.”