IT’S A LITTLE unusual for a travel company to hold its annual company conference for franchisees on Sunshine Saturday, the first Saturday after the festive period which is typically the most popular day of the year for holidaymakers to book a trip abroad.
But we are known for being a little different (in a good way) so did just that, hosting over 400 consultants, who operate under the Not Just Travel brand, and 50 corporate teams in Stratford-Upon-Avon last weekend (6th-7th January).
Having been ranked 12th in Elite Franchise’s Top 100 and 10th best franchise in the UK by Franchise Direct, we were keen to announce and celebrate the fact that 2023 was a “phenomenal year” in terms of holiday sales, profit and franchisee recruitment.
Our holiday sales grew by 36.6% in 2023 which is phenomenal – especially when compared to many other travel companies. It’s even more impressive when you consider that 98 per cent of franchisees have joined us from outside the travel industry.
It’s testament to the high level of training and support we offer and, now word has got out, we are seeing huge demand for franchises.”
But we’re not resting on their laurels and announced new high-profile appointments, plus several new initiatives and strategies each designed to help consultants significantly grow their business and profits.
New initiatives to skyrocket cruise unveiled
In 2023 we made our iCruise Mastery Programme and cruise website even more dynamic, ramping up ship tours and offering two company cruises with an onboard ‘Seminar at Sea’ with its partners Virgin Voyages and Princess Cruises.
Our consultants, who operate under the Not Just Travel brand, now make twice as many cruise bookings as they did in September 2022 following the launch of the company’s Cruise Division and Cruise Mastery Programme.
Dame Irene Hays – chair and owner of the biggest independent travel agency group, Hays Travel – who spoke via video message at the conference commented: “Not Just Travel’s focus on the cruise market in the last 12 months has been phenomenal and we can all see the results.”
2024 overseas trips announced to Mauritius and Canary Islands
In 2023, we hosted more free company trips than ever before taking over 500 franchisees abroad.
For 2024, we announced upcoming dates for company mentorship retreats to Mauritius with partner Beachcomber and to Fuerteventura with TUI.
Another new consultant wins their franchise fee back
At the conference we also announced taht franchisee Kirsty McNeice was our latest Money-Back Challenge winner and will be receiving a £14,995 refund of her franchise fee because she managed to achieve a set amount of commission in the first 12 months of launching her travel business.
Many others achieved our unique challenge in 2023, some part time, and we will continue to offer this incentive in 2024.
Another new franchisee, Dawn Carney, who only joined in December and is already on course to achieve the challenge having made 11 holiday bookings already.
New board members and CFO revealed
New board members were introduced at the conference. These include Darren Thompson, who was a founding cornerstone investor and board director for loveholidays, and Derek Jones, who has over 30 years’ experience in the travel industry and was formerly MD of Kuoni.
We also introduced Stephen Badger, who takes on a senior management role as newly-created Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and brings with him experience gained from Virgin Media and luxury hotel firm Mr & Mrs Smith.
For more details of The Travel Franchise visit its website The-Travel-Franchise.com where you can order a free copy of its latest magazine and watch videos about the franchise opportunities which start at just £2,995 + vat.