Travel Counsellors has launched a major recruitment drive to capitalise on an increase in the number of enquiries about joining the homeworking group.
Using the slogan “TCs Like You”, the campaign showcases the various ways Travel Counsellors run their individual business.
The homeworking agency said the level of enquiries from those looking to set up their own travel businesses has now recovered to pre-pandemic volumes.
A recent survey from people in the company’s ‘talent pool’ – a database of candidates interested in working for Travel Counsellors – found that almost two thirds are interested in setting up their own travel business within the next year.
Also, nearly three quarters of those looking for career opportunities are not from the travel industry.
The main reasons cited for wanting to become a Travel Counsellor include a better work-life balance, new challenges, a love of travel and interaction with people, the independence and flexibility of self-employment, and a desire to return to the travel industry.
Matt Harding, head of recruitment at Travel Counsellors, said: “There is such a demand for travel professionals as customers are looking for trusted advice and a highly personalised service more than ever before.
“Many of our existing Travel Counsellors have had their most successful ever start to the year and we want to show potential joiners that with the right tools and support anything is possible.
“From cruise to corporate specialists and those who work in a team or have built their business through referral and social media, we have some amazing examples of franchisees who have built successful business in a way that suits them and their customers using our support platform.”
Since the pandemic hit in March 2020, 240 people have started their own business with Travel Counsellors’ franchise model.
One of them, Emma Diamond (pictured), set up her business in September 2020 after being made redundant from a previous role in travel.
She has since become a Gold Travel Counsellor, which means she is one of the top sellers.
“June 2021 was pretty much the start of the busiest few months for me, and it’s just got better and better since then,” she said.
“I’ve since hit Gold; surrounded myself with an incredible bunch of like-minded TCs who I speak to all day, every day; I’ve hired a TC assistant; and expanded my business exponentially, including onboarding a few corporate accounts, which is brand new to me.”