The Holiday Franchise Company is targeting retail expansion as well as sales growth of at least 15% in 2025 following a rise of 39% last year.
The group currently has more than 60 businesses under its umbrella, covering a total of 114 people and three shops.
Sales revenue during peaks so far is 19% up on the same period last year, according to head of franchise Joanne Aldridge.
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“It’s been a busy peaks. It’s been amazing so far,” she said. “And in November and December, we didn’t see the drop we’ve been used to – we were really busy in those months too.”
The company, which hosted around 50 agents at its annual conference at the start of the month, is preparing to roll out new features to help maximise sales this year.
These include “virtual quotes” aimed at helping agents “bring the holiday to life” when speaking to clients over the phone. It is anticipated that the new approach will be introduced by the end of February.
Another upcoming element will be offering clients the opportunity to have personalised websites for weddings and honeymoons. These will allow photos to be added, as well as messages to guests and gift lists.
“We’re trying to add more of a special touch to the big life events our customers have,” said Aldridge.
Further changes will be applied to the in-house tour operator’s booking system.
“We’ve been building a system that takes away all the manual searches, so our agents will access holidays at the touch of a button,” Aldridge said, adding that the intention was to allow agents to spend more time focusing on selling holidays.
“We’re constantly looking at how we can make things easier and quicker, so franchisees can spend less time on administration and more time on sales,” she said.
The company is targeting a year-on-year uplift in sales of at least 15% this year, which would equate to around £2 million of additional revenue, but Aldridge hoped the target would be exceeded by some distance.
“We always try to aim for 15% growth, but we smashed that last year,” she said, revealing that the reason for the success lay in franchisees’ increased productivity.
Asked about any ambitions to increase the number of franchisees, she said: “We would love to take on three new businesses per month, but we want to take on highly skilled people who share our values. We could easily take on three people but if they don’t have the skills, they’re going to create more work than not.”
Of the group’s members, 57% work full-time in travel and Aldridge suggested some were interested in the prospect of establishing a presence on the high street.
“We’ve got a number of franchisees who are keen to open shops,” she said, adding: “In the foreseeable future, we’re definitely looking to expand our retail network.”
The existing premises are operated by MBK Travels in Coalville, Leicestershire; Enchanted Escapes Travel in Branton near Doncaster; and Pelican Worldwide Travel in Cardigan, Wales.
MBK Travels has just been awarded the franchisee of the year prize after achieving more than £700,000 in sales in 2024.
“They have blown it out the water,” said Aldridge, adding that Coalville did not have a travel agency before MBK Travels established itself.
The 2024 conference, which took place on January 10-11, was held on a retired Boeing 747 at Cotswold Airport and at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel.
“The feedback has been fantastic,” said Aldridge, adding: “We’re already looking at how we can better that for next year, but it’s going to be hard to beat having it on a 747.”
Photo: Delegates at The Holiday Franchise Company’s 2024 conference