With homeworkers in high demand and enjoying fast business growth over the past year, Tamara Hinson takes a closer look
As high street travel agencies capitalise on a rise in footfall, with customers recognising their importance post Covid, homeworkers are seeing a similar rise in demand.
And they are perfectly positioned to seize this opportunity to develop a loyal customer base, says Vertical Travel Group’s business development director Damian Mc Donough.
“Customers want the peace of mind knowing the person who is arranging and personally managing their booking. Existing customers often become repeat bookers and customers for life as they know they can contact their personal travel agent 24/7,” he says.
“Business is booming for homeworkers,” says Tricia Handley-Hughes, InteleTravel UK & Ireland managing director.
“They’ve become more valued by customers for their skill and expertise, particularly by those who have had bad experiences booking direct, and I think this will continue in the future,” she says.
Change in the sector
In April this year, Travel Counsellors acquired Holidaysplease making it the homeworking giant’s first acquisition in almost 30 years, with the 100 homeworking travel experts, 50 franchisees and about 50 employees now part of the company, which already has 1,900 homeworkers across six countries.
“Mergers can benefit smaller businesses and individuals accelerate their journey, and give them access to wider resources, technology and community support,” says Jim Eastwood, global sales director at Travel Counsellors. The deal poses the question as to whether further consolidation is on the cards in the sector.
Recruitment plans
Alongside the acquisition, other homeworking companies are still seeking new additions to their workforce through recruitment.
Steve Witt, co-founder of Not Just Travel and The Travel Franchise, says: “Since 2001, we’ve recruited more than 1,000 franchisees, and we expect to double in size in the next year.”
The Vertical Travel Group is also planning on increasing its number of homeworkers from about 200 to 250 by May next year, according to Mc Donough.
Smaller companies are taking a similarly methodical approach to expansion – with the aim of taking their time to find people with the ideal set of skills to thrive as homeworkers. “We want to grow by at least two team members a year, but it’s important we get the right fit,” says Sarah Smallwood-Jones, head of sales at Elegant Resorts, which owns Private Travel Designers, established in 2018.
Eastwood at Travel Counsellors says: “We have goals in terms of recruitment, but these are based on the quality of those we welcome into the community. It’s not a numbers game – it takes a special type of person to run their own business.”
And Personal Travel Consultants by Blue Bay Travel is expecting an increase in those looking for home-based jobs, as companies are asking staff to return to the office. As a result, three recruitment days have been scheduled to gear up for expansion. Former Sandals business development manager Tamzin Bishop, has recently joined the firm.
But it’s not just homeworking companies that are wanting a slice of the pie. Some high street agencies have homeworkers on their roster. Spear Travels, for example, has nine homeworkers, known as associates, which complement its 12 high street stores.
A rosy outlook
For those self-starters who thrive on working for themselves, the future looks bright when it comes to earning potential. “Last year our average homeworker earnings increased to record-breaking levels,” says Sheena Whittle, head of Co-op Travel’s The Personal Travel Agents. “This year, after just three months, our agents are earning on average 47% more compared with the same three months last year.”
And homeworkers needn’t build their businesses alone. “There’s a growing trend that shows huge support for self-employed agents running their own businesses,” adds Whittle. “Which means they have the perfect opportunity to become well known in their local communities, which is paying dividends.”
Fast facts
- Travel Counsellors reported a record 14 months of bookings, with more than £90.1m sales in March this year, up 22% year on year
- In May, Brilliant Travel saw a 35% growth in bookings compared with last year
- This January, Independent Travel Experts had its most successful sales month since its inception 10 years ago
- InteleTravel’s bookings increased by 51% year on year, in the first quarter of 2023
- At the end of its latest financial year, Designer Travel reported a 75% increase in sales compared with 2019
PICTURES: Shutterstock/Ground Picture, George Rudy