Seaside At Home recruits 52 agents in four months


Juliet Dennis


Seaside Travel says interest in its homeworking division has continued to “snowball” as it rolls out a back-office hub to support its growing line-up of agents. Seaside At Home, launched four


months ago, already has 52 agents on board and expects to reach 55 to 60 by the end of the year. The agency credits brand


reputation and word of mouth for the rate of growth, which far exceeds its original expectation of about 20 homeworkers by the end of the year. The agents comprise a mix


of new-to-travel, returning and experienced sellers and are based in the northeast, the Midlands, Scotland and Essex. About 75% of the most recent


batch of recruits are experienced agents from other companies or consortia; however, one of the new- to-travel homeworkers is already one of the group’s top-three sellers. Head of homeworking John


Milburn said the group was selective about the recruits it took on, adding numbers “could have reached 200 to 300” based on applicant numbers. “We’ve been picky about who


we take on and it’s paid off, it’s just snowballed. We want it to work for


them and for us,” he said, adding the group was focused on support for its homeworkers. He said: “We will be there when


agents need us; we follow up with agents and jump on calls, whether it’s 11pm or 4pm on Sunday, and I think that’s where we are winning.” Despite not having any set targets,


Milburn said numbers could increase and even double in 2026. “We have not had the opportunity


yet to do any marketing, but it’s a lovely position to be in,” added Milburn, who revealed October sales had been particularly strong.


Wendy Wu Tours appoints BDMs for Scotland and north


Wendy Wu Tours has recruited two business development managers as part of the “most significant trade investment” in its history. Former easyJet holidays trade distribution manager John Docherty becomes BDM for Scotland, while Demi Johnson joins from Trailfinders as BDM for the north. The appointments follow a 35% year-on- year increase in sales in Scotland and the north.


8 27 NOVEMBER 2025


John Milburn and Seaside Travel owner Nicola Park


The group is planning one


further induction next Wednesday (December 3) for up to six agents and will then pause recruitment until after the main peak sales period. If interest continues at a similar


level the group plans to take on a second business development manager and could look to boost its in-house team with more staff to help with admin. Last week, the group rolled out


its Seaside At Home Hub where agents can find information, such as details of suppliers and their holidays, product codes and commission levels.


Disneyland Paris to open new park attraction on March 29


Disneyland Paris has revealed upcoming park Disney Adventure World, featuring World of Frozen and two other “immersive lands”, will open on March 29, 2026. The theme park has spent €2 billion transforming Walt Disney Studios Park into an expanded space that will be nearly double the size of the existing site.


PTCs switches on booking function for Jet2holidays


Homeworking agency Personal Travel Consultants in partnership with Blue Bay Travel has made Jet2holidays the first operator bookable via its agents’ new web pages – just days after the operator announced its Gatwick launch. The group said the timing of


Jet2’s announcement “couldn’t have been better” as it unveiled the new functionality to 25 of its 45 agents at its fourth annual conference in Cyprus, where it also revealed 2025 sales were 10% up year on year. It switched on bookability –


allowing clients to book via each homeworker’s new dedicated web page for the first time – during the presentation. It follows the recent launch of ‘digital shop windows’ for PTCs. Abbie Heaton, group manager


for PTCs, said: “There was a lot of excitement in the room and everyone was looking at their phones. Jet2 announcing Gatwick was a big win for us; it couldn’t have come at a better time.” Heaton hinted other operators


could be made bookable in future. “There is scope to add other


operators, including Blue Bay,” she added. The conference also reported


the average booking value for its agents was up by 10% on 2024, reaching £4,700, the highest it has ever been.


Stuba pays tribute to former BDM Joanne Muir after death aged 54


Former Stuba business development manager Joanne Muir has died at the age of 54. Muir served the north of England for more than seven years before leaving due to ill health in July 2024. The company described her as a “highly valued” member of the team who built strong relationships with agents and “embraced life to the max”.


travelweekly.co.uk


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