The homeworking sector in the travel industry is experiencing unprecedented success. Agencies are reporting record-breaking years and significant growth in recruitment.
With changing customer booking habits and expanding agency models, home-based agents are thriving. This report takes a closer look at the factors driving this success.
The past year has seen remarkable growth in the homeworking sector, with numerous agencies reporting their best-ever performance. Travel Counsellors achieved record annual bookings of £933 million, a 23% increase from the previous year. Over 700 travel counsellors celebrated their best year in 2023, highlighting the sector’s impressive trajectory.
Established high-street names are also recognising the potential of homeworking. Althams Travel has ventured into this domain, and Baldwins Travel is set to follow. The comparatively new One Travel Club, which began in April 2023, aims to grow from 100 to 300 homeworking agents by autumn.
The resilience shown by the sector in overcoming such hurdles is indicative of its robustness and adaptability. The ability to quickly absorb displaced agents speaks volumes about the demand and growth potential within homeworking.
Other innovations include the virtual call centre model launched by Travel Solutions Network in 2022. This model enables home-based agents to work flexible hours while handling customer service for various brands such as easyJet holidays and Thomas Cook.
The sector’s potential is further underscored by significant income statistics. For instance, the highest-earning agents at Inspire reportedly take home £10,000 per month, reflecting the lucrative nature of this industry.
Silver Travel Advisor reports a 30% conversion rate on enquiries, with an average booking value exceeding £5,000. These figures highlight the high-value transactions that are becoming more common within the sector.
Industry leaders remain optimistic about the sector’s potential to offer a more personalised and flexible customer experience, driving further success.
The homeworking sector in the travel industry is thriving, characterised by remarkable growth, technological advancements, and high-value transactions.
With continuous innovations and a strong focus on personalised service, the sector’s future is bright, promising sustained success and new opportunities for home-based agents.
