Since the launch of its cruise division last year, cruise sales dramatically increased from an 11 per cent share to 25 per cent by the end of the year
The Travel Franchise kicked off 2023 with four major events at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre, featuring its first-ever Platinum conference for its top achieving members who sold more than £1m worth of holidays.
Co-founders Paul Harrison and Steve Witt, along with key members of the corporate team, invited select travel franchisees from its Platinum and Diamond categories (those earning £20,000 to £500,000-plus in commission) to celebrate and recognise their achievements and success. The event was hosted by BBC presenter Zara Janjua and showcased the success of many travel consultants within the company, who trade under the Not Just Travel brand. Some of the company’s homeworking consultants’ results were impressive in that just 10 of their bookings amounted to £1.3m in sales.
2022 saw The Travel Franchise and its consumer brand Not Just Travel double its turnover compared to 2021. With the autumn launch of a cruise division, cruise sales dramatically increased from an 11 per cent share to 25 per cent by the end of the year.
“We invested millions in recruitment in 2022 to help our consultants achieve success and this has been particularly noticeable in terms of cruise sales. We more than doubled the size of our business development manager team, ensuring we have the highest ratio of support team to travel consultants, in the industry,” said Steve.
“Black Friday saw Not Just Travel reported as the number one cruise seller for some of the leading cruise companies in the UK. Very impressive given the fact that the cruise division only launched in September. January sales are even stronger than expected, with huge growth forecasted in 2023. We have already seen sales in January more than double for the same period last year.”
The company was excited to give its consultants a sneak peek at some pioneering new tools, each designed to target the “new to cruise” market and to be launched soon.
While a huge party enabled top-performing consultants to celebrate, there was also plenty of time for agents to take to the stage and share the secret to their successes. Training sessions took place in the afternoons to share best practice and strategies.
The event also celebrated the success of the company’s key trade partner programme, with the company’s largest-ever supplier expo enabling 37 of its top travel partners to exhibit and share their key product news.
As well as a recruitment evening for those looking at starting a travel business, the event also included a New Year New Start Training workshop for all members, focussing on skills and activities to help skyrocket sales during peaks.
Sabina Clay, a Platinum-level consultant who attended said: “This event was a glorious celebration of success. Not Just Travel and The Travel Franchise, its staff and members are one big family who supports and celebrate each other. Paul and Steve solidify this relationship through their relentless investment in the company. To be recognised as consultants on top of our game feels wonderful and is a great way to start 2023.”