Holidays group to take on hundreds more new franchisees in biggest recruitment drive

Manchester-based holidays group, Travel Counsellors, is set to take on more than 300 new franchisees in its latest expansion.

The firm provides corporate concierge-style travel services for SMEs, and a personal, and enriching experience for premium leisure travellers.

The company’s recruitment drive reflects the travel industry’s resilience, as recent research from Travel Counsellors indicates that consumers are looking to travel more in 2024, with holidays their number one spending priority.

Expert travel advisors run their own travel business, empowered by Travel Counsellors’ digitally-enabled platform with the supportive network of the global community. The business is aiming to attract individuals with a passion for travel who are interested in setting up their own business, from those at the start of their careers, to returners to the industry and others who may be working outside the travel industry and looking for a career switch.

The recruitment drive follows Travel Counsellors’ record performance in 2023 and strong growth trajectory, with £350m of departures already booked for fiscal year 2024 – up 30% on the equivalent period in FY23.

Looking ahead, the company will invest £15m in its proprietary technology platform.

This year, Travel Counsellors reached the milestone of 2,000 independent travel business owners from a range of different backgrounds which encompasses travel industry veterans, former professional athletes, public sector workers and many more.

Matt Harding, Director of Franchise Sales of Travel Counsellors, said: “This is our biggest single recruitment push ever, and we are keen to attract new talent to help take the business to the next level.

“By embracing diversity, providing comprehensive training and fostering mentorship, Travel Counsellors ensures that every business owner, regardless of their professional background, has the resources and support to thrive in the travel industry. We set ourselves apart through a unique recruitment approach centred on relationship building, nurturing and transparency to ensure the right fit for each individual that is looking to join us.”

Travel Counsellors’ Travel Academy programme, accredited by the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT), ensures that those new business owners who have never worked in the industry before are fully supported before embarking on their entrepreneurial journey.

Each Travel Counsellor is paired with a mentor and gains access to an accredited personal business coach. In 2024, the latest partnership with the ITT’s Future You Foundation will see a number of those new to the travel industry win a place on the Academy programme worth £10,000, with a focus on attracting young talent, diversifying the candidate pool for the company and injecting fresh perspectives into the travel industry.