Welsh agency sets up remote working division
Ella Sagar
Welsh agency Jamie Wake Travel has launched a remote working division with no joining fees in a bid to bring “a fresh approach” to the travel industry. The new venture, called The
Independent Travel Consultants, offers a “collaborative model” which will see consultants help shape operations, training and other elements based on their feedback. The division will operate under
Protected Trust Services and prioritise mentoring, training and sustainable growth over “headline recruitment numbers”. Jamie Wake, managing director
of the Torfaen-based agency, which he set up in February, said: “The collaborative approach for me is about seeing someone as a salesperson with a name, a niche, a motivation, and offering a personal service. That personal service should be offered to the people selling travel as well as the people buying it.” He added: “[Other businesses]
see recruitment of remote workers as the way to make money [with joining and associated fees], not for the workers themselves to make money. “I’m very passionate that the
people who work for us are making Jamie Wake
Celestyal hails ‘big investment’ in the UK trade
Celestyal Travel has hailed the official opening of its first UK base, in Guildford, saying it marks a “big investment” in both the cruise holiday market and the trade. The cruise line’s in-house tour
operator – launched in July – has taken over a four-floor building in the Surrey market town to serve as its first UK contact centre. The property also includes meeting spaces and retail premises. Five staff have been recruited for roles across the store and contact centre. UK managing director Janet
money for themselves, instead of the business. I want them to thrive, because at the end of day they are part of the Jamie Wake Travel family.” Wake said the new venture will
have no joining fees and no “overpriced start-up packages”. It will host weekly ‘huddles’ to allow consultants to help each other with their enquiries. The Independent Travel
Consultants has six homeworkers, and aims to reach 10 by the end of the year and 20 by the end of 2026. Wake has received enquiries from
people based in the US and Hungary about joining. His first appointment was a new-to-travel homeworker
Growth in spending with agents lags transactions surge – Barclays
Consumer transactions with travel agencies grew by more than any other sector of the economy in August, according to Barclays’ latest analysis of card spending. Agent transactions rose by 17.9% compared with the same month last year, while spending grew by a more modest 4.4%. Overall, transactions in August across the travel sector fell by 2.6% but spending increased by 3.1%.
8 11 SEPTEMBER 2025
based in Wales, who switched from a career in teaching in August. The initial cohort of
homeworkers have specialities spanning cruise, Disney, Turkey and luxury travel, said Wake. He added: “I want to build
something with great foundations and the right people. If you get that connection right with everyone, you can celebrate their successes, but also ensure someone’s got your back when something is not quite right.” Wake also operates Wide Awake
Holidays, which specialises in travel for the LGBT+ community, and Awake in the Wild, which offers safari holidays.
US to hike Esta fee from $21
to $40 from end of September The Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta) fee for US-bound visitors will rise from September 30. The US Congress approved a legislative package that includes a hike in the fee from $21 to $40. The Esta is mandatory for travellers entering the US under the Visa Waiver Program and is valid for two years.
Parton said: “This investment into Celestyal Travel was with the trade in mind. We know how important it is to have those flight-inclusive packages, and this building will be our UK contact centre and headquarters. The retail space is just an added benefit.” Celestyal Travel has created 15
flight-inclusive packages in a new brochure which will “appeal to a really broad market”. Looking ahead, Parton said the
operator would look to “branch out” the product portfolio and expand its number of partner agencies. Pictured: Parton and Guildford mayor Howard Smith open the
new premises i NYCU, page 18
Vertical Travel Group to join Advantage Managed Services
The Vertical Travel Group is to join Advantage Travel Partnership’s managed services division from 2026. Vertical, currently a Midcounties Co-operative member, comprises four core travel brands: tour operating divisions Instant Holidays and Instant Breaks, and homeworking arms Your Holiday Booking and Holiday Elite. Advantage said the tie-up “represents a strategic alignment”.
travelweekly.co.uk
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