Travel Counsellors empowers aspiring travel entrepreneurs

Now in its third successful year, the Academy scholarship programme will offer more places than ever before, with up to 20 young aspiring business owners being given an opportunity to join the Travel Counsellors Academy, worth an investment of £100,000. By providing a clear pathway into the sector, the initiative equips young talent with the skills, insights, and support needed to kickstart their own travel business.

As part of the selection process, applicants are required to submit a business plan that will be evaluated by the Travel Counsellors recruitment team. Shortlisted candidates will then have the chance to pitch their business ideas before a panel of travel industry experts at the support team office in Manchester, where they can showcase their vision for their travel business.   

Scholarship winners will gain access to a comprehensive benefits package featuring a six-month ITT-accredited training and onboarding programme, 10 days of virtual classroom learning plus ongoing training, a personal mentor (of which there are over 175), memberships with both the ITT (Institute of Travel & Tourism) and CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), and access to Travel Counsellors’ digital platform, Phenix, along with support from a global community of over 2,100 travel professionals.

Matt Harding, Director of Franchise Sales at Travel Counsellors, commented: “It’s exciting to launch our Travel Counsellors Academy Scholarship programme this year, aimed at empowering the right young, ambitious entrepreneurs who want to establish their own travel businesses. We’re dedicated to encouraging the next generation of business owners who have a real passion, providing strong career guidance, and helping them realise their potential - we know the impact this can have having already witnessed the positive impact of this support through the successes of previous winners. We look forward to reviewing applicants’ business ideas and welcoming new emerging talent to our community."