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Agents tell us why they love Hays Travel Homeworking

Love is in the air and, as every hopeless romantic knows, when you find ‘the one’, everything clicks into place. That’s how these agents feel about saying ‘yes’ to joining Hays Travel Homeworking. We spoke to five Personal Travel Consultants to find out why they love Hays Travel Homeworking so much…

Samantha Hale

Sam spent 20 years working in travel shops, followed by 10 years on cruise ships, where she worked her way up to Guest Relations Manager. She returned to the UK to manage a Hays store, but then decided to become a homeworker.

She says: “I have been with Hays PTC Lead Supported (PTCLS) for over two years and I love being my own boss, as I have more time to build a customer rapport and find the holiday that suits them best. I often receive lovely holiday pictures and messages to say how perfect their holiday has been, which makes my job all the better.  “I can still travel and see new places, while building my business and, best of all, no more spending hours commuting to work. I now spend that time helping my customers. I was nervous to start my homeworking journey as I had always worked in a busy environment and I thought working on my own at home would be lonely. How wrong was I? The help and support that is available has been amazing. I have also built lovely friendships along my travel journey and I would honestly say it’s been the best career move.

“The team at Leads Supported are amazing. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today as the encouragement that is given is fabulous and makes you want to do better.”

Aaron Petty

“Being a PTC works for me, as it gives me a lifestyle blend of being balanced, active and having freedom to work when I want to. I’m able to work on a morning one day, and the evening on a next – meaning work revolves around my schedule and not the other way around – as well as allowing me to work around my clients. If they want a call at 9am, or 7pm, I can base my day around my working hours.

“It was an easy switch over for me, from working shifts between 9am and 9pm, Monday to Sunday in a store-based environment to putting my own hours in place.

“With Hays being the largest independent agency, we benefit from the best commission levels, and this for me is super rewarding, knowing I’m doing the same work with the same tour operators, but being paid the most for my time.

“It’s nice to know that it’s always going to be my business, but we have the backup of a full head office support team guiding our businesses to get the best results.

“Our operations team looks after our documents and the customer services team looks after my clients when I want to completely switch off and relax on my own holidays with my family, or on one of the many educational opportunities we get at Hays Travel.

“If you fancy working your own hours, having a flexible lifestyle and getting the opportunity to visit places like Australia, Dubai and various Caribbean Islands all in a day’s work, Hays Travel PTC Homeworking offers just what you’re after.”

Danielle Dickens

“I joined Hays Travel’s academy programme in October 2022. This meant I was completely new to travel and they would provide me with the training I needed and on-going support. 

From day one I felt supported. It is great to be part such an amazing team, not only from the business development coaches but also everyone in head office and other PTCs – everyone is so supportive.

“I love being self-employed and working from home. It gives me the flexibility to work around my family, working the hours I want to do. The biggest plus is also being able to travel more. I know if I am out of the office on holiday my customers are in the safe hands of our amazing customer service team in head office.

“The reason I decided to join Hays Travel was for the name and the fact it is the UK’s largest independent travel company. I knew my customers would trust Hays and I would have the best commercial contracts available to offer them the best deals.

“I have had such an amazing first 12 months within my business and cannot wait to build my business further.”

Scott Cummings

“I joined Hays part-time while having a full-time job. I carried out extensive research and settled with what I thought – and still believe – is the best choice for many reasons, including the reputation of the brand, the support and the commission levels.   “Since then, I have left the day job and work full-time with Hays Travel.  No regrets. I’ve never looked back. Help is always available from both your business development coaches and other agents in your team.”

“I would say Hays homeworking works for me as it’s so flexible around having a family, plus I can take leave for holidays whenever I want. I love the opportunities for travel and being rewarded for sales I make. “Joining was the best decision I ever made.”

To find out more, call 0800 215 5045, email [email protected] or click here .

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Homeworking Guide: Getting started as a travel homeworker

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Becoming your own boss is a big step. So it’s understandable for anyone embarking on a career as a self-employed travel homeworker to feel anxious.

“Becoming a homeworker for the first time is a very exciting and ambitious move,” says Abbie Heaton, sales manager of Blue Bay Travel’s new homeworking division, Personal Travel Consultants. However, Heaton admits: “Starting out can be the hardest part.”

Not Just Travel co-founder Steve Witt agrees. “It’s natural to feel daunted, but when you join you realise you’re not alone. It’s like a big family,” he says.

Step one: Planning

One of the first and most important steps when starting out is to write a business plan – this is the foundation on which to build the business.

It should feature short and long-term targets including a realistic end goal, financial planning, strategy, marketing and customer service.

Witt says: “It’s important to have it right from the start to help you stay on track.”

Without a plan, homeworkers are in danger of ending up with “a lack of direction” and under-achieving, says InteleTravel UK director Tricia Handley-Hughes. She stresses: “Be realistic with your ambition.”

Heaton suggests homeworkers create a plan for years one to three, including how to gain turnover in quiet times and how to prepare for peaks. She says that many firms ask homeworkers to write a plan as part of their application to decide if they are “right for each other”.

Holidaysplease brand and business growth executive Cat Reeves says the plan is discussed at the interview stage and revisited over the next two years to ensure agents are “on the right path”.

Importantly, it needs to be written “honestly and realistically”, she adds.

Travel Specialists by Advantage asks applicants to work out minimum monthly earning expectations and a monthly marketing plan to acquire new customers, while Hays Travel Homeworking has introduced pre‑interview ‘insight’ sessions where a business plan can be discussed or worked on collaboratively.

Hays Travel Homeworking marketing and homeworking director John Milburn says: “We find these sessions to be powerful, giving applicants realistic expectations.”

Step two: Setting up an office

During the pandemic, kitchen tables have become the new desks, but the key to any home office is comfort.

“As long as homeworkers can be comfortable and concentrate, then anything goes,” says Kelly Cookes, leisure director for The Advantage Travel Partnership.

There needs to be space for a laptop and phone, but Reeves also suggests homeworkers find somewhere they feel “inspired”.

And while a kitchen table can work initially, most firms agree a space away from distractions is sensible in the longer term.

Heaton says: “Find an area, ideally a room, where you can create a professional office area.”

Witt advises homeworkers to create an office they “want to be in”, using inspirational travel pictures, maps or family photos.

Step three; Generate leads

What stage homeworkers reach after six months will depend on the time and effort put into the job. “You’ll get out of it what you put in,” says Milburn.

Handley-Hughes believes training is key for travel newcomers. “Allocate your training hours as a discipline,” she says.

Teaming up with local businesses such as wedding venues for joint promotions and building a social media ‘shop window’ is key early on.

Cookes says: “Start with one social media platform and get that right, rather than launching on all of them at once.”

Marketing can be cheap, even free, by networking with businesses, sports teams or special-interest groups, but acquiring customers is likely to take up much of a homeworker’s time in the first few months.

Agents should aim to have a contacts database and be making daily sales, says Witt. “Everyone you speak to is a potential customer,” he adds.

Heaton says product knowledge, being comfortable selling and offering the “right fit” for clients is crucial to success. She encourages agents to work hard on creating relationships, asking friends to spread the word and focusing on small gestures such as birthday cards and ‘welcome home’ notes.

“Sweat the small stuff,” she says. “Customers will remember that for next time.”

Step four: Analyse and adapt

After six months to a year, most homeworkers should have settled into a routine while starting to earn commissions and gaining loyal clients.

For those on instant commissions, earnings will start to come in soon after bookings are made. Reeves says: “By six months, agents start to see some customers travelling too, so the income can begin to grow more quickly.”

Now is a good time for homeworkers to start making the business their own.

Heaton suggests identifying booking patterns or marketing opportunities. “It’ll still be tough, but the resilience will pay off,” she says.

A strategy to generate last-minute and future bookings is wise to maintain income levels as this can be a tricky stage for homeworkers who have prioritised holidays with long lead-in times.

“Homeworkers will have put a lot of time into their businesses but may not yet be seeing huge amounts of income,” warns Cookes.

Handley-Hughes’ advice is to build customer relationships. “Understand your customers so that you can adapt marketing and products to suit them,” she adds.

Step five: Long-term goals

Repeat bookers and customer referrals are a sure bet to generate income in the long term.

Looking after clients through having regular communication and advice that they cannot get elsewhere is vital. “They will have no reason not to return,” says Witt.

Existing customers are also agents’ biggest advocates. As well as asking customers to give recommendations, Cookes suggests encouraging clients to post positive reviews.

Homeworkers should look to further local relationships through networking or social media and consider investing in professional marketing material or merchandise to promote their business.

“Spread your business further,” says Heaton. “Offer incentives to local firms to book with you and support them in return.”

Debbie Mynard, Travel expert, Holidaysplease

Q. Why did you become a homeworker during the pandemic? A. I started in November 2020. My employer, Voyager Travel Direct, had gone into liquidation and my father died in April after contracting Covid. I had redundancy money as well as inheritance, but missed the buzz of travel.

Q. How difficult has it been? A. It was a challenge! I’ve had to put everything into it. I didn’t have many customers so I set up appointments for my first day from the enquiry pool [sales leads] at Holidaysplease. They are ‘lookers’ and I had to turn them into ‘bookers’.

Q. What was your first sale? A. One of my first bookings was the biggest I’ve ever done, a £17,000 ski booking. In the end, it couldn’t go ahead due to Covid, but the client has since booked with me. It’s not been easy but now there’s more hope.

Q. How quickly did you start earning? A. We get half the commission upfront in the month after booking. I took a booking in December 2020 for 12 people going to Mauritius, and was paid half in January and will get the other half this November.

Q. What does it take to be a homeworker? A. You have to be disciplined and have a strong sales drive.

Cheryl Mallon, Homeworker, The Holiday Village

Q. Had you thought of becoming a homeworker before now? A. I’d flirted with the idea over the years but timing, financial circumstances and working in a specialist area of tour operations for years meant it never struck me as the right thing to pursue until recently.

Q. What hours do you work? A. I work around my customers so I don’t set an open and close time. I manage what comes in and react to it.

Q. What is the key difference between your previous job and now? A. In previous roles I worked with suppliers and ground handlers directly, so it’s taken a bit of getting used to being a customer of the tour operator.

Q. Was it harder than you thought to get started as a homeworker? A. Understanding the different media and what works was a puzzle initially, as was adapting to being on the other side of the fence after many years on the tour operator side. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy during the pandemic, but I thrive on challenging myself.

Q. What’s the best thing about homeworking? A. The flexibility, knowing that my passion is my success, and having an amazing, supportive team behind me.

Q. Will you stay in it for the long term? A. Absolutely. After 30-plus years in various travel roles, I know I’ve made the right decision.

Travel homeworking: Ask the experts

Paul Harrison co-founder, Not Just Travel “Pick a company to work with that has a proven track record. No matter how experienced you are, ensure that whoever you choose to work with has the team, tools and support to help accelerate your business to the next level.”

Tricia Handley-Hughes, UK director, InteleTravel “Create a business plan and keep it to hand. Good admin will help you keep on top of payment deadlines; use files for your customer bookings and documentation.”

Mark Smith head of business development, Simplexity Travel “With working from home the ‘new normal’ there has never been a better time to consider a remote position. To succeed, you need discipline, self-motivation and drive. We’ll help with the rest.”

Sarah Hillard premier homeworker, Hays Travel “Have a dedicated workspace, plan but be flexible and work with your company for results. Most importantly, enjoy it. You have the freedom to be your own boss and build a business. Don’t be impatient, your hard work will pay off!”

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Hays Travel Academy Homeworking

Pinky8383 · 29/04/2021 18:03

Hi, has anybody done the Hays Travel Academy and started homeworking? I'm looking at the opportunity at the min but just worry that it'll be hard to build up a big enough customer base to make it financially feasible to bring in a full time income! Anyone done it and had success.....or not?? Any info would be great thanks

Are you really good at selling marketing and networking ? That will be far more important than anything else.

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Introducing our new to travel programme.

Are you excited by the opportunity to join the Travel Industry in a management role in Retail - well look no further than Hays Travel. We will give you a fantastic career and all the training you need to learn about our industry and to sell holidays that make our customers dreams a reality…

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If you have always dreamed of a career in travel, but struggled to be considered due to lack of previous experience within the travel industry, then being new to travel is not a problem as you can join via our New to Travel Management Programme. Open to candidates with previous 2 years retail and/or sales management experience across any industry, you will receive intensive training where you'll learn all about our systems, products and destinations, before joining a branch near you as a Branch Manager. You will be supported by our experienced learning and development coaches, as well as our travel teams, to develop your experience and skills and be an effective Hays Travel Leader. It is an intensive training schedule and typically you spend time in virtual classrooms as well as time in branch. You will have a dedicated mentor to support you to put your training into practice. Exciting opportunity that's all focused in giving you a new career that spring boards from your current management experience. Apply today…

New to Travel - Assistant Branch Manager

If you have always dreamed of a career in travel, but struggled to be considered due to lack of previous experience within the travel industry, then being new to travel is not a problem as you can join via our New to Travel Management Programme. Open to candidates with previous 1 years retail and/or sales management experience across any industry, you will receive intensive training where you'll learn all about our systems, products and destinations, before joining a branch near you as an Assistant Branch Manager. You will be supported by our experienced learning and development coaches, as well as our travel teams, to develop your experience and skills and be an effective Hays Travel Leader. It is an intensive training schedule and typically you spend time in virtual classrooms as well as time in branch. You will have a dedicated mentor to support you to put your training into practice. Exciting opportunity that's all focused in giving you a new career that spring boards from your current management experience. Apply today…

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If you have always dreamed of a career in travel, however due to lack of previous experience within the industry you've never joined, then our New to Travel program is the path for you! Open to candidates with previous retail or targeted sales experience, you will receive intensive virtual classroom training where you'll learn all about our systems, products and destinations, before joining a branch near you. The New to Travel Program is a fully paid 6-month intensive training schedule for anyone already in a retail or target-driven sales based role and upon successful completion of the training you will transition in to a permanent Travel Consultant role in one of our retail branches. Your first twelve weeks will be spent in a virtual classroom training environment with your fellow New to Travel Colleagues and during this time, our dedicated Learning and Development team will show you the 'Hays Way' on our service ethos, top techniques in sales, how to use our systems and provide a knowledge foundation about the different products we offer. With immediate start dates the New to Travel Program promises to equip all of its participants with top knowledge, insights and tips to become a successful Travel Consultant within the Hays Travel family. Apply today…

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Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

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Thinking of visiting Russia? When visiting such a famous city, one must, of course, visit the iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists. Once you’ve seen the sights that are on most travelers’ lists, it’s time to branch out and visit some of the lesser-known sites, and there are some fascinating places to see and things to do.

I know this list is long, but I just couldn’t help myself. You probably won’t have the time to see them all. But that’s okay. Just scroll through the list and choose what sounds the most interesting to you. Where possible, make sure to book in advance, as things can get crowded, especially during high season.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin, And Surroundings

Red Square (Krasnya Ploshad) is the heart and soul of Russia, and where much of the country’s history has unfolded. This is the most famous landmark in Moscow and indeed the whole country, it’s an absolute must-do! The square is always full of people and has a rather festive atmosphere!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

This is the famous church with the rainbow-colored, onion-domed roof. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it was so beautiful, that he ordered that the architect’s eyes be cut out afterward, so he could never build anything more beautiful! He wasn’t called Ivan the Terrible for no reason!

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The “love-it-or-hate-it” of tourist attractions in Russia. A glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. It may seem a bit bizarre to display the mummy of a person, but it has been there for almost half a century and the 2.5 million visitors who come each year, clearly feel the queuing and thorough body search are worth it, to be in Lenin’s presence.

Pro Tip: no photos and no loud talking are allowed inside the Mausoleum.

Eternal Flame

There is an Eternal Flame in honor of an unknown soldier on the left side of Red Square. The hourly changing of the guards is worth seeing.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian president. You can see it from the outside, or you can take an excursion to one of the museums located inside. This is the biggest active fortress in Europe, and holds a week’s worth of attractions! Once behind the 7,332-feet of walls, there are five squares, four cathedrals, 20 towers, various museums, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see. Worth a special mention is the Armory Chamber that houses a collection of the famous Faberge Eggs.

Pro Tip: You can only go inside the Kremlin if you are part of a tourist group.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre translates to “The Big Theatre” in Russian, and the building is home to both the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera — among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world.

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get an inexpensive ticket, so if you’re reading well in advance of going to Moscow then try buying tickets on the official website . Last-minute tickets cost around $250 per person. If this is out of your budget, about an hour before a performance, you can try buying a ticket at the entrance from a reseller. Most can speak enough English to negotiate the price.

Tour the Bolshoi Theatre: You can take a group guided tour of the Bolshoi Theatre which focuses on the history and architecture of the theatre and behind the scenes. There’s an English language tour that lasts 2 hours and costs around $300 for a group of up to six.

3. Luxury Shopping At GUM And TSUM

Russia’s main department store, GUM, has a stunning interior that is home to over 100 high-end boutiques, selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your Moscow to-do list GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries. TSUM, one of the biggest luxury malls in town, is right behind the Bolshoi and GUM. It’s an imposing building with lots of history, and worth a visit just for its design and its glass roof.

4. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This is one of Russia’s most visited cathedrals and is a newer addition to the gorgeous array of Muscovite cathedrals, but don’t let its young age fool you. After perestroika, in the early 90s, the revived Russian Orthodox Church was given permission to build a cathedral on this site. It did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church. The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes, gold, gorgeous paintings, and decor!

The cathedral is located just a few hundred feet away from the Kremlin and was the site of the infamous Pussy Riot protest against Putin back in 2012.

Pro Tip: Bring a shawl to cover your hair as is the local custom.

5. Gorky Park

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor’kogo) is the city’s biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer. In winter, half the park turns into a huge ice skating rink. Gorky Park is also home to an open-air movie theater and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also Muzeon Art Park, a dynamic contemporary space with a unique collection of 700 sculptures. It is located right in front of Gorky Park.

6. Sparrow Hills Park

If you take a walk from Gorky Park, along the Moscow River embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbor, it has a great panoramic view of the city

Pro Tip: You can take a free walking tour to all of the above attractions with an English-speaking guide.

7. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow, and see all the famous landmarks, but from a different angle, is from the Moscow River. Take a river cruise. Avoid the tourist crowds. There are little nameless old boats that do the cruise, but if you are looking for a more luxurious experience take the Radisson Blu cruise and enjoy the sights with some good food and a glass of wine.

8. Metro Hopping

Inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro system is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. Started in Stalinist times, each station is a work of art in its own right. I’d recommend touring the stations between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This way, you’ll be able to properly see it without the crowds. Ideally, I’d recommend taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide with GuruWalk, who will tell you stories of forgotten stations and how the history of the country is interconnected with the metro development. If going by yourself, then I definitely recommend checking out: Mayakovskaya, Ploschad Revolutsii, Kievskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Kurskaya, and Novoslobodskaya stations.

Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum: For real train enthusiasts, located in the southern vestibule of Sportivnaya station is a small free museum. Here you can take a peek into the driver’s cabin, see a collection of metro tokens from different cities, and see different models of a turnstile, traffic lights, escalator, and more.

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings and the one with the best view is the main building of the Moscow State University. Although this is a little outside the city center, the view is more than worth it.

10. Izmailovsky Market

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything, from artisan crafts to traditional fur hats, handcrafted jewelry, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces. There are often no price tags, so be prepared to haggle a bit. Head to one of the market cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

The History of Vodka Museum is found here, and the museum’s restaurant is the perfect place to sample various brands of the national drink.

Once you’ve covered the more touristy spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer, and the places below will also be full of locals! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend the spots below!

11. Moscow City

With a completely different vibe, Moscow City (also referred to as Moscow International Business Center) is like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressive tall glass buildings. Here is where you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, like Ruski Restaurant, the highest restaurant both in Moscow City and in Europe. Moscow City is great for crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

12. Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. They gave their private collection to the government after their deaths. If there is just one museum you visit in Moscow, I recommend this one!

13. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno was a residence of Catherine the Great more than two centuries ago. It became derelict during the Soviet era but has now been fully renovated. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows, and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

14. Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city center is Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Russia looked like 200 years ago. You’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow, and the wonderful fairytale wooden palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

15. Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time, it’s still the 8th tallest building in the world and the highest in Europe. It’s also the best observation deck, with a glass floor and 360-degree views. The speedy elevators take you 1,105 feet in next to no time.

Pro Tip: You need to book in advance; entrance is based on specific ticket times and the capacity is limited and only a certain number of tourists are allowed per day. Don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to get through security.

16. Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye is a newly opened, landscaped urban park so new you won’t find it in a lot of tour guides. The park is near Red Square and is divided into four climatic zones: forest, steppe, tundra, and floodplains, depicting the variety of climatic zones in Russia.

These last three suggestions are a little quirky, but all are really worth checking out.

17. Museum Of Soviet Arcade Games

Release your inner child playing on 66 arcade machines from the Soviet era! What a great way to spend a couple of hours when tired of visiting museums and palaces. The staff speaks excellent English and are happy to explain how the games work.

18. Moscow Rooftop Tour

Take a 1-hour private Moscow rooftop tour with an experienced roofer. I can just about guarantee none of your friends will be able to say they’ve done it! For your comfort, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Take your camera, there are some amazing photo opportunities out there!

19. Sanduny Banya

This classical Russian bathhouse opened its doors in 1808 and is famous for combining traditional Russian banya services with luxurious interiors and service. If you enjoy spas and saunas, then you should experience a Russian bathhouse at least once in your life! Go with an open mind and hire a specialist to steam you as it’s meant to be done — by being beaten repeatedly with a besom (a leafy branch)! This is said to improve circulation, but is best done by a professional!

So there you have my list of things to do in Moscow. I could have gone on and on and on, but I didn’t want to try your patience! There are so many things to do in this vibrant city that you’ll definitely need to allocate several days for exploring.

Here are some other reasons to visit Moscow and Russia:

• 7 Reasons To Put Moscow On Your Travel Bucket List
• Russia 30 Years (And 30 Pounds) Ago
• Massive Mysterious Craters Appearing Again In Siberia

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

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Which homeworking agency is right for you.

If you’re looking to transition into homeworking, here’s an A-Z guide to help you find the right company for you

Homeworking companies have mushroomed in recent years, which is great news in terms of choice but does mean you have to weigh up the pros and cons of the different offerings. Here’s a helping hand if you’re tempted to break into the sector but are unsure where to start researching.  

BRILLIANT TRAVEL  

Part of Barrhead Travel, one of the UK’s largest independent travel groups, Brilliant Travel homeworkers pay a monthly fee of £65, receive access to Barrhead’s own products and have the freedom to book what they want. A few years’ experience is needed to join its network of 25 homeworkers. Contact: brillianttravel.co.uk/home-based-agents ; [email protected]  

DESIGNER TRAVEL  

Founded in 2008 and part of the Hays Travel Independence Group, it now has 125 associates. Monthly fee is £50 and commission levels can reach 80%. New entrants to travel considered. 

Contact: recruitment.designertravel.co.u k  

FUTURE TRAVEL GROUP

Sarah Kelley founded Future Travel Group, out of the ashes of pandemic casualty Thornton’s Travel, in December 2020. A member of Advantage Travel Partnership, Future is a small, experienced team of six people. Contact: futuretravelgroup.co.uk  

HAYS TRAVEL HOMEWORKING

Hays Travel has 459 Personal Travel Consultants in its homeworking division – self-employed agents who use the Hays branding in all their communications and have access to leads. An alternative option is the Explorer Franchise (105 agents), where partners can build their business using their own brand identity. Hays Travel’s academy models help those with no previous travel experience or who have been out of travel for 10 years or more (£8,000 + VAT).

Contact: careers.haystravel.co.uk/homeworking

“After a career of over 30 years I found myself in a management role I didn’t enjoy and realised what I loved most was creating perfect holidays for clients. I took action and created my own dream job. We want positive, passionate individuals for a small, friendly team that encourages each other and celebrates success. Your greatest asset as a homeworker is a positive, forward-thinking, creative mindset. Flexibility and reacting to the needs of the consumer, technology, personal travel experiences, in-depth training and a thorough understanding of the industry are invaluable for clients and post-Covid are valued more than ever."

Joan Jones, owner and founder, Once in a Lifetime Holidays 

HOLIDAY ELITE/YOUR HOLIDAY BOOKING

Both these brands are part of Vertical Travel Group, which is a member of Midcounties Co-operative. Holiday Elite’s 60 homeworkers and Your Holiday Booking’s 145 homeworkers have the flexibility to run their own business while accessing 24/7 support. For new joiners, travel industry experience is essential, ideally holiday sales. No joining fee; monthly system fee is £20 + VAT.

Contact: holidayelite.com/recruitment ; yourholidaybooking.com/career-contact.php; [email protected]

HOLIDAYSPLEASE

Part of Hays Travel Independence Group, and now owned by Travel Counsellors, award-winning Holidaysplease typically attracts ex-travel agency managers/owners. A minimum two-and-a-half years in travel sales needed. There are no monthly fees, just a one-off set-up fee of £387, and free long-haul luxury customer leads are provided to all agents. 

Contact: travelhomeworking.org

HOMEWORKING BY INSPIRE

HQ in Cheshire, offers a lead-generated model and an independent model. There’s a small set-up fee and a low monthly fee.

Contact: homeworkingbyinspire.co.uk/about-inspire  

INDEPENDENT TRAVEL EXPERTS

Operates with the backing of the Travel Network Group, Europe’s largest independent travel network group, and has more than 100 homeworkers.

Contact: thetravelnetworkgroup.co.uk/independent-travel-experts

InteleTravel UK

“After the pandemic many businesses made promises of ‘working from home’ to allow more flexibility in the way people work. Forbes recently reported that businesses are winning the battle to get workers back into the office and are backtracking on previous promises. The reality is homeworking affords huge flexibility, allows families to collect children from schools and promotes a healthy lifestyle. We have one PTC who works from Barbados and another in Tenerife – these examples showcase the benefits of homeworking!”   "On a practical level, try to segregate your work space from your home space, find an area, ideally a room, where you can create a professional office area. Comfort is key: You’ll be spending a considerable amount of time in your workspace, so create a space that you’re looking forward to being in, ensure minimalism within your office to maximise your productivity, and definitely treat yourself to a comfy chair!" Abbie Heaton, sales manager, Personal Travel Consultants 

LUXURY HOLIDAYS AND HONEYMOONS  

No set-up costs or monthly fees, looking for both experienced travel professionals and sales experts seeking a new opportunity, with specialist training provided for newcomers.  

Contact: luxuryholidaysandhoneymoons.co.uk/home-working-opportunities  

MERLIN TRAVEL GROUP

UK-based travel consortium, tour operator and travel agency. Independent travel professionals can sell a range of mainstream suppliers’ holidays and access in-house tour operator MTG Holidays. Various membership options are offered depending on experience including a TravelPro Academy for those with no travel industry experience (fee £3,495 + VAT).  

Contact: merlintravelgroup.com  

ONCE IN A LIFETIME HOLIDAYS

Travel Trust Association member Once in a Lifetime Holidays started trading in May 2019 and now has a team of seven homeworkers playing a part in business decisions. Money is earned from commission revenue, which is split.

Contact: onceinalifetimeholidays.co.uk ; [email protected]

PERSONAL HOLIDAY ADVISORS

Part of the Hays Travel Independence Group, there’s no initial set-up fee. Minimum two years’ experience needed.

Contact: personalholidayadvisors.com/recruitment

"We have an excellent training programme for all our new “holiday fixers”. I personally mentor all my fixers to ensure they understand all aspects of the business so they feel confident and will become a successful part of the team. The onboarding programme helps our fixers understand the brand, identify their customers, learn how to use the systems and develop their knowledge of our products and suppliers. We don’t provide leads, but give full training on how to grow your travel business. A positive, can-do attitude is really all we ask for as the rest will be taught during onboarding programme."

"Homeworking is a more eco-friendly way to work, saving on travel costs to and from an office. Now that we all communicate much more online it is much easier for homeworkers to stay connected with their team and build up a good, supportive network without the need to be based in an office. Working from home doesn’t mean you miss out on travel perks. There are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of free trips to explore the destinations and hotels that you are selling. We attend lots of face-to-face training and our key suppliers hold webinars for us too.”   Britt-Marie Monks, director, The Holiday Fixer 

PERSONAL TRAVEL CONSULTANTS

Personal Travel Consultants by Blue Bay Travel was created in 2021 to expand Blue Bay’s homeworkers. A partnership with the Co-operative Travel gives access to a host of tour operators as well as Blue Bay’s own holidays. Homeworkers can receive 50% commission upfront and have the flexibility to use Blue Bay's leads if they need an extra boost while building their business. No joining fee; monthly admin fee of £49 if homeworker uses own equipment and £99 with full hardware and software support. 

Contact: personaltravelconsultants.com

PTS HOMEWORKER SOLUTION

Part of Protected Trust Services, protecting consumer monies within the PTS trust account system. The PTS Solution is available to experienced travel professionals with at least two years’ experience and professionals with good business acumen. 100% commission retained.

Contact: protectedtrustservices.com/business

SILVER TRAVEL ADVISOR  

Silver Travel Advisor is a review, information and travel advice service for over-50s, which added a homeworking agency in January 2022. Part of Hays Travel Independence Group; monthly fee £69, no joining fee. Currently has 10 homeworkers; previous travel experience is preferable but not essential.  

Contact: silvertraveladvisor.com/join-the-team

SIMPLEXITY TRAVEL MANAGEMENT  

Travel management company Simplexity Travel recently launched a homeworking division, working in its core specialism of corporate and leisure travel for music, fashion, film, TV and football professionals. No set-up costs, monthly fees or transaction fees. Travel experience needed.  

Contact: simplexitytravel.com/work-with-us  

“The pandemic brought the value of using a travel professional into sharp focus. There’s also a growing trend to “support local”, and travel agents running their own businesses are perfectly placed to serve their local communities. Add to this the opportunity to connect with a wider audience through social media, and the potential for homeworking is enormous. Becoming a self-employed homeworker can transform lives from a mental wellbeing perspective too.”   "Do your homework when choosing which homeworking organisation you join…. find a business and people you connect with both professionally and personally. Talk to the homeworkers within that business for the first-hand views." "We are always on the lookout for quality, entrepreneurial agents. We are excited by candidates’ ideas to build their businesses and we provide personalised support to bring those ideas to life." Sheena Whittle, head of The Personal Travel Agents 

TAKE THE FAMILY

Take the Family sells travel on behalf of Hays Travel and has a small team of family holiday experts. It is looking to recruit those with family travel expertise.

Contact: takethefamily.com/aboutus/jobs

THE HOLIDAY FIXER

Affiliated with Midcounties Co-op, there are nine home-based “fixers” around the country. Founder and director Britt-Marie Monks personally mentors all new starters including those without travel experience. Leads are not supplied.

Contact: theholidayfixer.com/become-a-holiday-fixer

THE HOLIDAY FRANCHISE COMPANY

Powered by Holidaysplease, this is available for people who have never worked in the travel industry, supplying training to launch a travel agency. Homeworker hands over 2% of revenue and keeps 100% commission.

Contact: holidayfranchise.company  

THE HOLIDAY VILLAGE

Part of the Travel Group Village Group, with no joining or monthly fees. £6 fee per booking. 65% commission split, paid in two instalments. Travel industry experience needed.

Contact: theholidayvillage.com/careers.phtml

"During the pandemic, our directors could see a lot of super talented people within our industry were losing their jobs. They wanted to ensure that talent was not lost, so therefore created Travelosophers, a personal homeworking business where people could have their own business without having the huge overheads." "We are always actively recruiting, It just has to be the right fit for both parties. We want to ensure we can support potential Travelosophers fully and so we would always start with a few detailed conversations on the kind of business you are looking to create. Be yourself, be consistent, be organised." “We are a close-knit family and our training and support reflects that at every point in your journey with us. We are led by a team of true industry experts. As well as one-to-ones with a dedicated business development manager, our head office team will be on hand to support you every step of the way.”   "Homeworking is the way of the new world. Everyone likes to have their own personal travel agent – it’s more flexible, feels more personal and you get to build a real relationship with their clients." Nisha Bean, business development manager, Travelosophers 

THE PERSONAL TRAVEL AGENTS

As part of Midcounties Co-op homeworkers benefit from the backing of the society and the buying power of the wider group. It started in 2012 and is after entrepreneurial agents to join its 150-strong ranks. Joining fees start from £295 + VAT, monthly fees from £60 + VAT, and commission levels go up to 75%.

Contact: jointhepersonaltravelagents.co.uk ; [email protected]

THE TRAVEL DIRECTORS/ THE TRAVEL MANAGERS

Part of Aquilium Travel Group and a member of the Co-operative Travel, a homeworker option is available for travel professionals with minimum three years’ experience and a franchise programme for those without travel experience.

Contact: thetraveldirectors.co.uk/careers

THE TRAVEL FRANCHISE

Franchise business operating under umbrella company Not Just Travel, with three packages, from £2,995 + VAT (Lite) up to £29,995 + VAT (Entrepreneur). No travel experience needed: 99% of consultants are industry newcomers.

Contact: the-travel-franchise.com

TRAVEL COUNSELLORS

Pioneer of home-based travel selling with more than 1,900 agents and multiple awards. Start-up costs from £295 for agents with at least three years’ experience to £10,000 for a programme designed to induct people who are passionate about travel but have no experience.

Contact: people.travelcounsellors.com/gb

"My previous experience working for a call centre from home has demonstrated that having everyone in the office all the time isn't always necessary. This arrangement allows travel agents to work around their lifestyle and have the flexibility to work when they want (as in our case, where homeworkers are self-employed). Additionally, it provides agents the chance to attend more events, work while traveling abroad, and meet clients at their local cafes. Overall, this setup offers general flexibility that can benefit everyone involved." “Homeworking allows travel agents to work around their lifestyle. It’s crucial to balance working, networking and promoting your business with taking breaks and avoiding overworking – that's the key to success.”   Lucy Clarke, managing director, Travology Travel

TRAVELOSOPHERS

Part of Advantage Travel Partnership, Travelosophers was created to ensure talent was not lost from travel during the pandemic, giving agents their own business without huge overheads. Fixed or tiered commission levels are offered to its homeworkers, currently 42.

Contact: join.travelosophers.com

TRAVEL SAFE

A member of Protected Trust Services, Travel Safe has 10 homeworkers. No joining fee; monthly fee £49.99. Travel experience necessary.

Contact: mytrustedtravel.co.uk

TRAVEL SOLUTIONS NETWORK 

This growing business offers fulfilment services to travel businesses who are struggling to recruit experienced staff. Agents who are new to homeworking or returning to travel can submit hours to the virtual call centre (VCC) while they build their own client base. It's a flexible model, with agents able to wind down the hours they commit to the VCC as their own business grows, or they can simply work from home as part of the call centre team. There are no joining or monthly fees and agents can choose their hours to suit.  Contact: travelsolutionsnetwork.co.uk

TRAVEL SPECIALISTS BY ADVANTAGE

A new homeworking model supported by Advantage Travel Partnership, which is 100% member owned. Membership fee of 2% turnover.

Contact: travel-specialists.co.uk

TRAVOLOGY TRAVEL

A member of Protected Trust Services, Travology has 16 homeworkers, with each taking a 60-80% commission split depending on joining model and profit per booking.

Contact: travologytravel.co.uk/travel-homeworking-academy

Would you like to add a homeworking business to this directory or update your entry?  Contact: [email protected]

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