Travel Counsellors has taken on three young travel entrepreneurs as part of its Academy Scholarship Class of 2024.
The agency said its annual scholarship programme aims to “nurture the next generation of travel talent”.
Penny Cartledge, Yasmin Waters and Adam Gordon were chosen after a selection process which included business plan submissions and pitch sessions at the support team office in Manchester.
More: Travel Counsellors remains committed to Holidaysplease, says agency chief
Travel Counsellors hits £125m sales in record January
Travel Counsellors acquires travel technology platform Planisto
Cartledge comes from a background in the travel industry, with her parents owning and managing a hotel.
A recent graduate, she plans to specialise in festival and cruise travel, alongside exploration and adventure travel.
Waters, a journalism graduate and events professional with extensive travel experience, aims to specialise in group travel across corporate and leisure bookings.
Gordon, a marketing graduate, wants to focus on luxury getaways and use social media to expand his customer base.
They will receive a package of benefits as part the Travel Counsellors Academy, including a six-month training and onboarding programme, 10 days’ virtual classroom and ongoing training, a personal mentor, 12-month Institute of Travel & Tourism membership and Clia membership, and access to Travel Counsellors’ digital platform, Phenix and the knowledge of the 2,000 person strong global community.
Matt Harding, franchise sales director at Travel Counsellors, said: “We are delighted to welcome these young entrepreneurs, Penny, Yasmin and Adam to the Travel Counsellors community, each one bringing unique backgrounds and experiences.
“Their passion, creativity, and dedication to providing outstanding travel experiences and going above and beyond for customers aligns perfectly with our core values.
“As part of our ongoing dedication to fostering the growth of emerging young talent in the travel industry, we are delighted to gift them a complimentary place on our Academy Scholarship.
“We are excited to support them as they embark on their entrepreneurial journeys and look forward to seeing their travel businesses thrive with Travel Counsellors.”
All three will begin their inductions over the coming months, with the first set to start in July.