What it means to be a Travel Counsellor

The landscape of travel has evolved dramatically, and so has the role of the travel agent. Gone are the days when travel agents were confined to desks in brick-and-mortar stores, sifting through brochures, working rigid hours, and trawling through numerous outdated systems just to make one booking.

In today’s digital age, anyone can sign up for an online travel scheme and call themselves a travel agent. However, true credibility requires proper training, continuous learning, and a deep commitment to customer care.

Care and the personal touch

At Travel Counsellors, we believe that being a travel agent goes beyond booking flights and hotels; it’s about crafting bespoke travel experiences that leave lasting impressions on customers.

What truly differentiates Travel Counsellors is the level of care and personalisation we bring to every booking. Our business owners understand that travel is deeply personal, and they take the time to get to know their customers inside out, so they know exactly what they’ll like and dislike. This allows them to create bespoke travel itineraries that exceed expectations, leading to repeat business and referrals.

And our commitment to care extends far beyond the planning and booking phase. Our Travel Counsellors look after their customers while they’re on their travels, and even after they return. In fact, many of our business owners see their customers as friends.

Be a tour operator and a travel agent

To be able to craft these tailor-made travel experiences, our Travel Counsellors act as tour operators – working with our extensive network of valued supplier partners to curate itineraries that can’t be found anywhere else.

Of course, our business owners can also act as a more typical ‘travel agent’, where they can book ‘off-the-shelf’ package holidays if that’s what their customers want. Our franchisees have the best of both worlds – the ability to be both a tour operator and a travel agent, all powered by our world-class booking platform, Phenix.

Credibility and professionalism

With so many online travel schemes out there, it’s all too easy for people to sign up to these programmes and call themselves travel agents. However, it’s often the case that these people just want to save on their own travel or make a bit of extra income by booking holidays as a side-hustle. Some of these schemes also have more of a focus on recruiting team members rather than selling travel, which completely muddies the waters when it comes to what a travel agent is by definition. And while these types of businesses will be right for some people, that’s not how we do things here at Travel Counsellors.

As the longest-standing travel franchise in the UK, we offer comprehensive onboarding programmes and ongoing training to ensure our Travel Counsellors are well-equipped to provide exceptional service. This commitment to professionalism is what makes our business owners trusted advisors in the eyes of their clients. Our franchisees run their businesses on a full-time basis, putting their customers first and showcasing their genuine passion for travel on a daily basis.

Freedom and flexibility

One of the most significant shifts in the travel industry is the ability for Travel Counsellors to work from anywhere. Whether it’s from a cosy home office, a coworking space with fellow business owners, or even while exploring the world themselves, our Travel Counsellors have the flexibility to manage their businesses on their terms. This freedom not only enhances their work-life balance, but also directly benefits their customers as they can be available at times that best suit them, rather than being restricted to rigid shop or call centre hours.

The role of a travel agent has evolved, and Travel Counsellors are at the forefront of this transformation. By combining the freedom to work from anywhere with expert curation and a deep commitment to care, our Travel Counsellors are redefining what it means to be a travel agent. If you’re passionate about travel and ready to take control of your career, join us at Travel Counsellors and start creating unforgettable travel experiences. Why not book onto one of our upcoming Discovery Events to get a feel for our community in action? Plus, with our recent Travel Tracker Report revealing that four in five people are planning to spend more on holidays in the next year, there’s never been a better time to start your own travel business.