Homeworking Guide: What’s it like to be a home-based agent?
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How does homeworking suit agents? Juliet Dennis finds out
Ded Findler, personal travel consultant, Hays Travel
“We took each day at a time, and we’ve gone from strength to strength”
Q: What’s your background? A: I’ve always worked in sales roles directly with the public. I’m a people person and love the customer-facing environment. I previously worked as a regional sales manager, which gave me the right attributes to be a PTC. My husband and I owned a hotel in the UK and have both worked in hospitality and retail.
I joined Hays in October 2022. Looking back, this was always going to be my forte, as many moons ago, I was lucky enough to do work experience in a travel agency.
Q: Why did your daughter join the business? A: Beth joined me in March 2023. She was looking to leave her job and wanted a career change, so it fell at a perfect time. She had a passion for travel and was always the one on the laptop looking for our family holidays.
Being younger, Beth was the perfect person to help me on the social media side of things. I found it a struggle creating sharp, snappy posts. It seemed right for her to do it, as she has grown up with technology and social media. Having us both on board has really boosted the business.
Q: What was the first year like? A: After my training, I doubted this was the role for me, as there was so much to learn. The first year was a complete whirlwind – trying to build a database and attract the right market was a challenge. But we found our niche and ran with it.
We took each day at a time, and we’ve gone from strength to strength. It hasn’t been an easy ride, but we can now say this is not just a job, it’s our passion!
Q: What’s it like working with a family member? A: For us, it’s a dream. We’re strong in different areas of the business; we couldn’t do it without each other. I can’t say there are never fall-outs, but you get that in any business.
This past year, it has been a struggle getting a routine in place, as there are no set hours for homeworking, but now we are both on the same page, it works amazingly well. We work in the same room and live in the same house, so we’re with each other 24/7. If anything, it has brought us closer.
If I was to give any advice for going into business with a family member, it would be make sure you have a strong relationship and don’t clash. You have to be able to communicate and make decisions together.
Dianne Cox, Silver Travel Advisor
“I resisted homeworking until Covid – now I wouldn’t change it”
Q: What did you do before becoming a homeworker? A: I’ve been in travel since I went to work for my local Co-op Travel at 18. I had a rocky start; I was made redundant during the break-up of Yugoslavia and was in and out of work for two years until getting a job with Lunn Poly. Over the past 35 years, I’ve worked in multiples, business travel and for a US and Canada specialist.
Q: Why did you switch from high street to homeworking? A: I worked for a multiple on a zero hours contract. After Covid, I wasn’t needed in the shops, as they were keeping costs low to recover losses. Technology changes meant I could work from anywhere, so it was easy to work abroad – we spent a lot of time in our Spanish apartment.
Q: How have you built your client base? A: I joined Silver Travel Advisor in January 2023. As I’d only been working in branches when needed, I didn’t have a portfolio of customers. I needed a company that provided leads and was flexible with hours. I’ve slowly built a client base.
Initially it was hard, as I don’t have social media accounts. The excitement of being in a new team was motivational. I attend local events and leave brochures and business cards.
Q: How do you juggle a second job? A: In 2019, I retrained as a mortgage and protection advisor, working hours of my choice from home. It requires planning but a balance is achievable. I divide the week into a few days for each job. I resisted homeworking until Covid forced my hand – now I wouldn’t change it.
Sasha Baldwin, Kudo Lifestyle, Inteletravel
“I start planning clients’ second holiday before they finish their first one”
Q: What’s your background? A: I’ve always had a fascination with travel, which began in my backpacking days around 1999. I landed in Sydney and I was supposed to be away for nine months, but decided to add on Bali, the Gili Islands, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and India – and came home 18 months later. I joined in lockdown.
My concierge business, Kudo Lifestyle, already had an element of booking travel, so it felt like a natural progression. I wanted to show people that booking through an agent was not an added expense.
Q: How have you grown your customer base? A: Trust and loyalty starts in your local community with friends and family. As soon as I do a great job for someone, I start talking about ideas for the next holiday – and ask them to recommend me. Word of mouth is beyond powerful in this industry. I like to think Kudo grows with my clients at whatever stage they might be in their lives.
Q: What hours do you work? A: I probably spend at least five hours a day researching and checking availability. Usually, I will follow up with a call and email to make sure I have the correct information, and that everything is in writing so there are no mishaps down the line.
I often work late to get the job done. But as long as you give clients realistic timelines, you can take the pressure off.
Q: What’s the secret to being one of InteleTravel’s top sellers? A: I love what I do. I always go the extra mile for my clients and I’m not afraid to tell them what I can do. I tend to start planning their second holiday before they’ve even finished their first one.
Click here to read the 2024 edition of the Guide to Homeworking.
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Homeworking Travel Consultant Opportunities
Freedom to choose.
Hays Travel is the UK's largest independent travel agency with a strong high street retail presence. However, over the last 20 years, we've grown and diversified with the extension of our business into homeworking travel consultants with a network of now more than 500 homeworker partners in our family.
We know how exciting the journey of starting a new business can be so we offer a variety of options to suit your lifestyle - whether you're an experienced travel consultant or brand new to the industry and would like to leverage our Travel Academy. There's flexibility to work your own hours to suit your personal circumstances and commitments, as well as freedom to set your own goals without targets and have uncapped earning potential.
Click below to get started, whether you are new to travel or have previous experience
New to travel – academy.
If you have no previous travel experience but have a passion for sales and travel and want to take the first steps into setting up your own business, or have been out of travel 10 years or more we have two fabulous Academy Models for you to choose from and support you get your business off the ground.
- Competitive Commission Earning Potential
- Support from a Business Development Coach
- Access to our ATOL protected Hays Tour Operator
- Educational opportunities
- Travel partner Discounts/ rates on own holiday bookings
- Access to The Hub – our dedicated Intranet site
- Reduced cost CLIA Membership – The Worlds largest Cruise Industry Trade association
- Travel CRM Software included free for first 12 months of trading with preferential rates thereafter
- Your Business, Your time – Total Flexibility
New Travel Consultant
Build your own business by working with your family, friends and local businesses as well as engaging with your local and social network communities
- Two weeks Virtual Induction Training
- 12 month training programme delivered by our award winning training team, Suppliers & Business Development Coaches
- Admin Assist and Holiday Customer Services Cover
- Business in a box - Laptop and Telephony
£8,000 + VAT
Payment Plans Available
New Travel Consultant - Leads Supported
Join our Academy Leads Supported and we will provide you with Quality Leads for you to work, and convert into bookings. This gives you the opportunity to build up your knowledge and experience and have enquiries at your fingertips to get started.
- Three weeks Virtual Induction Training
- Free Quality sales Leads via various methods.
Experienced Travel Professional
If you have at least 2 years experience working in a UK Travel Agency, that is within the last 5 years, and are looking for a new home, or want to start your own business, Hays Travel can provide Industry leading Commission levels and Training to support you build your own business.
- One week Induction Training
- Travel partner discounts / rates on own holiday bookings
- Access to The Hub - our dedicated Intranet site
- Preferential Rates with Travel CRM Software
Experienced Travel Consultant
Build you own business by working with your family, friends and local businesses as well engaging with your local and social network communities.
- Your Business, Your Time – Total Flexibility
- Progression Planning - Tailored support to ensure your business grows and succeeds
- Marketing Materials, Personalised Website and Specialist Social Media Support
- Business in a box – Laptop and Telephony Included
£295 plus VAT
plus a Monthly Management fee applies
We will help you build your business and increase your database by providing free quality sales leads via various methods.
- Provided with quality sales leads to help grow your database
- Admin Support – Allowing you to focus on selling holidays and building your database
- Progression Planning – Tailored support to ensure your business grows and succeeds
Don't just take our word for it…
We are a business that keeps it simple. We deliver on our promises and offer exceptional service for our people as they do for our customers.
You will be part of the family, and we want to support your growth. We work with you to develop your own personalised strategy to support your future success.
Can I choose my own hours?
You choose the hours that you work, our self-employed packages are completely flexible. It's your business, so the more hours you put in, the more you get out.
Is there a minimum sales value?
There are no sales values put in place for you. What you achieve is simply down to you and how much hard work you put in.
How long will it take to be up and running?
Once we receive your signed consultancy agreement, we can have you up and running in four to six weeks.
What kind of support will I receive?
You are supported by travel industry professionals working in a number of head office departments. In addition to this you will have a dedicated homeworking support team as well a business development team who are on hand to answer queries and give you advice on how to market your business.
Is there any out-of-hours support?
Absolutely, many of our departments are open well in to the evening and on weekends; we are on hand to help and support you.
What happens when I go on holiday?
We have a customer service team who can help with bookings and queries on existing bookings whilst you are away.
How much can I earn?
That is entirely up to you, the more you put in the more you get out. The earning potential is unlimited. Our top sales-people all say that they make more now, than they ever could working in a branch/call center. Several of our homeworkers' profit was over £100k last year, of which they receive 60%.
Are there monthly management fees?
The Academy New to Travel Models have no monthly management fee for the first 12 months. The fee will then be £55 per month. The Experienced Travel Professional PTC Models, the management fee is £55 per month.
Is there an upfront deposit for the New to Travel / Academy model?
Yes, if you choose the New to Travel Academy model, you will be required to pay a upfront deposit of £2400 inclusive of VAT. This equates to 6 months of your New to Travel Academy payment upfront and is non refundable.
Will the Leads Supported model have any expectations of me?
In order to make the Leads Supported model work for you, you will need to ensure you have a working pattern you can commit to be online ready to take leads. Your Business Development Coach will support you with conversion of the leads and offer coaching and development where needed & can share with you the busiest times of the day to work to assist with your planning.
What is the payment plan option for the New to Travel Academy model?
You will pay the upfront deposit of £2400 inclusive of VAT at time of purchase. This will cover the first 6 months of trading. In month 7 for a remaining term of 18 months, you will pay £400 per calendar month.
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How to become a travel agent from home
First, you’ll be passionate about travel — as passionate as us. Next, you’ll love the idea of changing careers to improve your work-life balance. If you tick these boxes, working from home as a travel agent could be the perfect solution for you.
What are the benefits of being a homeworking travel agent?
As a home travel agent, you can cater to your customers in a way that works for you. Getting to know them on a personal level builds trust and rapport and expands your network.
Our in-house marketing team works tirelessly to provide the simple and intuitive tools you need to segment your customers and provide tailored content and holiday recommendations.
Then there are our product teams who deal directly with hoteliers, airlines and destination management companies (DMCs) to ensure you always have the best luxury travel options for your customers. That way, you control the margin you make on travel arrangements instead of being held to third-party fares.
Learn more about our business model .
How will Travel Counsellors support me?
We empower our travel agents to chase their dreams from the comfort of their own home, or wherever they choose to work. Say goodbye to long commutes and hours sitting in traffic.
Some see home working as lonely, but we make it easy to stay connected. Our global community of 2000 Travel Counsellors share advice, tips, knowledge and practical support every day across a variety of platforms.
You’ll also get personal guidance from your own Relationship Manager, as well as the back-office support of over 400 colleagues in our UK support team who all share a single goal: to help you and your business thrive.
Learn more about our support teams .
Work from home as a travel agent
- Are you passionate about travel?
- If you are looking for a career change and want to improve your work-life balance, working from home as a travel agent could be the perfect solution for you.
To become a Travel Counsellor, you'll need to:
- Fund your training
- Commit to it, full-time
- Be eligible to work in the UK
- Understand you'll be a franchisee
Travel Academy
For those of you with an entrepreneurial spirit; passionate about travel, but without professional travel sales experience.
Business Development
We always have room for experienced sales, account management and business development professionals from the corporate travel sector.
Minimum 3 years travel experience — If you sell holidays to customers in a travel agency or work for a tour operator, find your new home with us.
Travel Trade
If you’re an experienced travel industry professional who’s never sold holidays directly to customers, we can help you transfer your expertise to your own travel business.
Spend less time on paperwork and more time building your own travel business as a corporate travel consultant with Travel Counsellors
Return to Travel
For people who used to sell travel, but who have been out of the industry for more than 12 months.
Agency Owner
Currently running an independent or franchised travel agency. For owners of existing travel agencies with an established business, this is the page for you.
Got a question?
Starting your travel agency from home couldn’t be simpler with Travel Counsellors. Contact us and one of our new franchise consultants will be in touch with you.
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