The Travel Franchise unveils 2024 programme of overseas training trips
Mauritius, Canary Islands, Mediterranean & Scandinavian cruises and Peru: just some of the destinations in which travel agents can explore this year.
The Travel Franchise has announced it will be offering even more opportunities for its franchisees to travel the world as part of an extended programme of overseas training retreats, seminars, experiences and charity treks this year.
The 2024 timetable of trips takes in the paradise, palm-fringed island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean; the sun-kissed family favourite of Fuerteventura; plus, not one, but two cruises.
Agents will also get the chance to join a charity trek in Peru, while golfers can perfect their swing on some of the lush greens of Mauritius.
With a passion for travel being one of the obvious attractions to signing up with The Travel Franchise, company co-founder Paul Harrison is confident that the enhanced 2024 schedule will give agents even more of an incentive and the motivation needed to help them succeed in their businesses.
“There’s no better way to learn about a destination than to experience it for yourself. For our agents to be able to give clients real-life tips and to relay first-hand experiences, is invaluable. It builds on their credibility.”
Fuerteventura is the chosen location for this year’s seven-day Millionaire's retreat next month in March. This training retreat is the inaugural overseas trip for new Elite franchisees and is included in the cost of their franchise package.
The Millionaire’s retreat is the ideal opportunity for agents to review their initial progress and start to build their business.
“Having learnt the basic ropes and having got to grips with the procedures and processes, our Millionaire’s Retreat is an opportunity for agents to step away from their offices and start to think like entrepreneurs,” says Harrison.
“We look at marketing tools and techniques to find and retain customers.”
This year’s trip to the Canary Island will run in partnership with tour operator TUI, hosted at TUI Magic Life Club. This beachfront, all-inclusive resort in Fuerteventura is a haven for sports enthusiasts, allowing agents to partake in a programme of fitness and wellness activities when not in the classroom.
More experienced agents go on to qualify for the company’s luxurious Elite Experience – again included as part of the Elite package. This five-day training retreat is more intimate than the Millionaire’s with up to only 30 agents on the invite list.
In partnership with luxury tour operator, Beachcomber – one of The Travel Franchise’s key travel partners – agents will benefit from more one-to-one mentoring on this retreat, often returning home with a new revamped business plan.
“Our Elite trips are not only luxurious, money-can’t-buy experiences, they also serve to catapult an agent’s business to the next level,” says Harrison. “Many agents confirm that these trips are worth the franchise fee alone.”
Agents who opt to sign up to the company’s Cruise Mastery Programme can also join one of two Seminar at Sea cruises this year. These training trips on board a cruise ship are devised to educate agents in what’s considered one of the most lucrative sectors of travel.
In 2024, agents can set sail from Southampton in May with Princess Cruises on board Sky Princess, spending five days exploring the waters of Scandinavia.
The second Seminar at Sea is hosted by Virgin Voyages setting sail from Barcelona in June to glide around the Mediterranean for seven nights. Agents will experience the unique adult-only offering from Virgin on board Scarlett Lady.
Some agents will also join the company’s charity trek in October along Peru’s world-famous Inca Trail to discover the historic, awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu in aid of Pink Ribbon Foundation which supports cancer research.
Golfing enthusiasts can also gain first-hand experience of teeing off on some of the world’s premier golf courses, when the company hosts a specialist golfing trip to Mauritius later in the year.
“Just like cruising, we want to give agents the opportunity to focus on niche sectors that they are particularly interested in promoting. Golf is another area where clients like to turn to a travel agent who has specific first-hand experience,” says Harrison.
Priding itself on its training programme, The Travel Franchise attracts franchisees who are new to the travel industry. In fact, 98% of agents have never worked in travel before.
“Because the vast majority of our franchisees are new to the industry, our training has to be exemplary. We take their transferrable skills and hone them to the travel sector,” explains Harrison.
“These trips cement that learning, but also they are a great opportunity for agents to get to know each other, exchange tips and build strong relationships. They are always great fun. We aim to achieve that balance between business and pleasure and, looking at the huge number of agents that eagerly sign up to these trips each year, it’s a balance that we clearly achieve.”