Travel Counsellors claims it welcomed a new business owner
every working day throughout August, with the number of new franchisees joining
the company returning to pre-Covid levels. It said there was a noticeable
increase in enquiries and new joiners with corporate travel experience.
The firm, which operates with a base of home-working business
owners, said more than 50 per cent of new enquiries in August were in talks to
launch corporate travel services before the end of 2020. It said it believes
redundancy packages as one of the main reasons for corporate travel
professionals seeking a new start.
It also said it has seen an uplift in interest from TMCs
with teams of fewer than ten people wanting to discuss the opportunities
available to them and their employees.
Travel Counsellors said it has adapted its induction
training for new joiners to allow them to attend interactive sessions via
webcam.
The increase comes as a survey of nearly 500 people in
Travel Counsellors’ recruitment audiences revealed that 70 per cent of
corporate travel professionals are concerned about their career in travel – a 5
per cent increase on a previous survey issued in June. Despite concerns, 75 per
cent said they are confident about running a travel business from home in the
future, with 60 per cent saying they are still planning to launch a new
business this year.
Kieran Hartwell, corporate MD for Travel Counsellors,
commented: “We know it’s a very difficult time for many people in the industry,
and the situation is fuelling a growing trend towards independent consultants
and micro TMCs being formed from teams of people who are facing an uncertain
future. These experienced travel professionals are taking a long-term view,
taking this time as an opportunity to launch a new venture and lay the
foundations for a new business as travellers seek safe ways to get moving
again.”
Hartwell continued: “It’s key that the industry now pulls
together to support each other wherever and whenever we can, which includes
recommending the opportunities available for fellow corporate travel
professionals.
“With ever-changing travel advice, this is the time for
experienced travel professionals to shine, demonstrate their value and show
care for their clients like no one else can. The time for trusted travel
managers to demonstrate the essential part they play in creating seamless,
stress-free travel experiences, where every last detail is taken care of, is now.”