Why I Chose Travel Counsellors: Justine’s Story

When Justine Jenkings decided it was time to go independent in 2019, she didn’t rush into anything. Like many experienced travel professionals, she knew that making the right choice about who to partner with was going to be the foundation for everything that followed.

“I did my homework,” she says. “I looked at the different options out there for independents. I was lucky enough to have a friend who had been with Travel Counsellors for years.”

But Justine didn’t stop there — she also spoke to colleagues and friends working with other companies. And what she discovered made her decision easy.

A company that feels like family

“The thing that stood out was the sense of family. Everyone I spoke to said the personality of the company is different. It’s not overly corporate. You don’t get lost in the system. Even though you’re working independently — which is what I wanted, the flexibility, the freedom — you’ve always got backup. And the support is there 24 hours a day.”

That 24/7 support made a big impression on Justine,“It’s a massive thing to know that no matter where you are or what time of day it is, there’s someone you can call. That kind of peace of mind is priceless.”

Focus on what you do best

Another deciding factor for Justine was the support behind the scenes — especially when it came to technology and admin.

“My strength is dealing with customers and closing bookings. It’s not invoicing or back-office work. And with Travel Counsellors, I don’t have to worry about those things. The systems are set up to make life easier.”

From the Phoenix platform that stores all her client profiles and documents in one place, to a Head Office support team that take care of most of the admin, Justine has the freedom to focus on her clients — without getting bogged down in paperwork.

“Yes, we still do a bit of admin, but it’s a drop in the ocean compared to what you’d have to do running everything yourself. With other companies, you have to be the consultant and the admin person and the business manager — and somehow find the time to do it all. That’s not how I wanted to work.”

Building a business with balance

For Justine, Travel Counsellors struck the perfect balance: the independence of working for yourself, combined with the structure and support of a strong, people-focused business.

“You really can go out there and do what you’re good at. And behind you is a full support team with systems that make your life easier every single day.”

What Justine Loves Most About Being a Travel Counsellor

When asked what she loves most about being a Travel Counsellor, Justine doesn’t hesitate — for her, it’s all about the people.

"The best thing about being a TC, I think, is family. I think it is that we never feel threatened by each other. That somebody is taking your booking and taking your client. I've never had that in the six years that I've been with Travel Counsellors."

It’s this unique culture of support — rather than competition — that has stood out to her from day one. She explains how even in moments of crisis, she’s never felt alone. For Justine, it’s not just practical support — it’s emotional too. And perhaps most importantly, that support comes without ego or competition. Everyone is working toward the same goal: helping each other grow.