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; becomebrilliant@brilliantravel.co.uk
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.uk
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
"I took action and created my own dream job"
“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; careers@verticaltravelgroup.co.uk
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
"The reality is homeworking affords huge flexibility"
“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; louise@onceinalifetimeholidays.co.uk
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
"Working from home doesn’t mean you miss out on travel perks"
"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
"Homeworkers are perfectly placed to serve their local communities"
“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 fourth-generation family business Travel Village Group, The Holiday Village has zero joining or monthly fees and a simple £6 fee per booking. A supportive team helps the homeworker to run their own business under the Holiday Village umbrella. Commission is set at 65%, which is paid promptly after clients' departures.
Contact: theholidayvillage.com/careers
"Our head office team will be on hand to support you every step of the way"
"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; claire.willoughby@thepersonaltravelagents.co.uk
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
"It's crucial to balance working with taking breaks"
"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: feedback@ttgmedia.com
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Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
