From stressed marketer to thriving travel consultant – how Donna retrained with The Travel Franchise

Read how one franchisee found a career she loves and won back her £14,995 franchise fee

The Travel Franchise enables people with no previous travel experience to retrain, launch a travel business, and even win back their franchise fee through its unique Money Back Challenge. Donna is a powerful example.

In August 2024 she’d had enough of the long hours and constant stress of marketing. On holiday soon after, with space to think, she resolved that if she was starting again, it had to be in something she loved: travel.

She’d followed The Travel Franchise for a while and, with inheritance money left by her late father, decided the timing was right. She grabbed the last place on the brand’s October 2024 training, a smart move because autumn gives new consultants time to get up to speed before the peak holiday booking season from January to March.

Donna chose the company’s most popular Elite package for two compelling reasons: it includes two free mentorship retreats abroad and the chance to win back the franchise fee by hitting a set commission target in year one via the company’s Money Back Challenge.

Like 98% of the brand’s franchisees, she was new to travel, but within weeks she was booking serious trips. By following a core piece of the brand’s advice – tell everyone what you do – she secured a £35,000 luxury cruise for a friend. Although she had never cruised herself, she researched thoroughly, leant on the cruise support team, matched the client with luxury brand Explora Journeys, and found an excellent deal.

“The downside of this job,” she laughs, “is seeing so many amazing places that I want to go myself!”

Work-from-anywhere freedom came quickly. While relaxing in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, she enjoyed a 40% agent discount at a RIU hotel while gaining first-hand experience she can pass on to clients. And she still kept the bookings flowing: a Maldives trip one week, another cruise the next.

“Donna is the first to admit it’s a steep learning curve, but she hasn’t done it alone.”

Donna is the first to admit it’s a steep learning curve, but she hasn’t done it alone. Every consultant is paired with a dedicated business development manager who sets weekly goals and keeps momentum; Donna describes her BDMs as “truly inspiring”.

The head office expert support team are also on hand via WhatsApp for quick answers – they even take care of ticketing – and the wider agent community is always available to offer advice.

At a recent free retreat in Turkey, Donna met nearly 90 franchisees, all of whom shared tips and encouragement – the group chat still buzzes.

To meet new clients, Donna is planning regular work-from-café sessions to build on her initial client base of friends and family. She’s already found many customers through LinkedIn.

“The people I’m connected with are cash-rich, time-poor – they just need someone to take the problem away,” she says.

Over time she’s carved a niche in tailor-made, multi-country itineraries where expertise truly shows.

“The buzz when a customer says thank you, or when I solve a problem while they’re away – that’s when you see the value of a travel consultant.”

She’s now doubling down on cruise knowledge through the company’s optional online training and has booked to attend its Platinum Conference – a five-day Norwegian Cruise Line sailing around the Bahamas – because she believes in experiencing what she sells and knows she’ll get valuable training on board.

The result? Confidence, freedom and a full financial win.

But when Donna beat the Money Back Challenge in under nine months and received a complete refund of her £14,995 franchise fee, it was more than a milestone; it was a personal triumph.

“I lost my dad seven years ago. He never got to enjoy his pension. He never got to travel, and he loved it. I always wanted to use his money to go on a special trip – and now I can.”

Could you be next to win your money back? The Travel Franchise welcomes career-changers with no prior travel experience, providing structured training, hands-on mentoring, a supportive community and a unique Money Back Challenge designed to reward success. Click on the link below to request more information.