Rise and shine


Travel homeworking had been growing for years before the pandemic further highlighted the sector’s appeal, discovers Juliet Dennis


If there is one sector of the industry reaping the benefits of changes in the world of work, it is homeworking. Few would dispute that the rise in use of remote


technology during the pandemic has acted as a catalyst for a change in attitudes surrounding work- life balance and flexible working. But the combination of more job-seekers following the end of the furlough scheme and increasing demand thanks to the easing of travel restrictions, mean the sector’s growth is now well and truly on an upward trajectory.


RISING STARS Homeworking, with its already-glowing reputation for flexibility and substantial earnings, is now arguably one of the most sought-after jobs in travel. The statistics speak for themselves. Travel


Counsellors, which boasts 1,400 UK agents, has swelled its ranks by more than 175 since the start of the pandemic. “We’ve recruited throughout and lost less than in a


normal year,” says managing director Kirsten Hughes. “There will be a bounce-back and, more than ever, a need for the trusted advice of travel professionals.” Other homeworking firms are equally optimistic


following growth over the past 18 months. Hays Travel Homeworking bought franchise firm


Explorer Travel in June and recruited more than 90 agents during the pandemic, with a “surprising” number coming from outside travel. The company now has more than 440.


Marketing and homeworking director John Milburn


There will be a bounce-back and, more than ever, a need


for the trusted advice of travel professionals


attributes growth to the power of the Hays brand as well as the desire for a better work-life balance. “We’re getting dozens of applications a week; interest is as high as ever,” he says. Sheena Whittle, head of The Personal Travel


Agents, also anticipates growth, from 160 to 200 agents in the next year. The company paused recruitment for six months last year but has since seen a pick-up in applications. “We are getting more interest as travel starts to move,” she says. Holidaysplease, which has just less than 100 homeworkers, “toned down” recruitment at the start of the pandemic but saw interest return at the end of last summer. It has hired 36 agents since March 2020. According to director Richard Dixon: “We’re back in growth mode.”


COMPETITIVE SPIRIT Firms continue to enter the sector, keeping competition fierce, particularly for those offering low-entry models and instant commissions. InteleTravel, which aims to recruit from outside the industry, says interest was strong early in the pandemic before “losing momentum” as travel uncertainty increased. Nevertheless, the group has enjoyed substantial


growth, from 7,481 people last year to 10,500 now. “Enquiries are ongoing,” says UK director Tricia Handley-Hughes, who credits InteleTravel’s “lower entry level” for the growth.


Agents who have joined Travel Counsellors since the start of the pandemic, bringing UK total to 1,400


175 44 28 OCTOBER 2021


Recruits to Hays Travel Homeworking during the pandemic, swelling its ranks to 440


90


Agents expected to join The Personal Travel Agents in the next year as it aims to reach 200 in 2022


40 travelweekly.co.uk


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