Homeworking group Personal Travel Consultants in partnership with Blue Bay Travel has created a six-strong panel to ensure the views of its self-employed agents are heard and acted on.
The panel, set up following feedback from its 55 homeworkers, was announced at the group’s second annual conference, held in Majorca, where it also reported year-on-year sales growth of 28% up to the end of September.
PTCs Kerry Jones, Jaclyn Keighley and Carly Cockburn have joined the panel for the first 12-month stint after agents were asked to put their names forward.
Joining them are PTC’s business development executives Louise Rothwell and Vikki Griffin and group manager Abbie Heaton.
The panel will meet virtually once a quarter – and at least once a year in person – and each meeting will also be attended by four to six managers from various Blue Bay Travel departments to discuss new ideas, share best practice and gain agent feedback.
Heaton said the move would ensure PTCs were “more involved” with head office decisions and future events. She said: “We had feedback from the team that PTCs wanted their own people to be part of any decisions and create unity between them and the organisation.
“As much as they are self‑employed, if we can do something that helps them to feel included and pay their bills, that’s our goal.
“Sharing feedback is really important. They will be included in the decision-making process so nothing is left to interpretation.”
PTCs at this year’s conference were also told their year-on-year sales were trending ahead of parent Blue Bay Travel and expected to continue to be up by almost 30% until the end of this year. Passenger numbers are up 15% year on year.
Self-generated sales now account for 60% of all PTC sales – and 81% of cruise bookings – compared with 50% this time last year. PTCs receive commission of 65% for sales they generate themselves.
Heaton said she expected self-generated sales to continue to increase as more PTCs shared best practice and became more confident sellers, helped by the incentive of higher commission.
“It’s a no-brainer,” she said, adding: “PTCs have worked hard to grow that business, and more customers want a personal consultant to look after their holiday plans from end to end.”