C your niche arving
Homeworkers who follow their passion can stand out from the crowd, discovers Kerry Baggott
S
pecialising in a particular field within travel is one way to set yourself apart from the
competition. You’re able to build a reputation as the ‘go-to’ agent within that sector, with all the know-how and contacts to make things happen. Perhaps there’s an area you feel particularly
passionate about? Or you’ve identified a gap in the market that’s crying out to be filled? In a crowded industry, carving a niche allows you to differentiate yourself from other agents. We talk to four travel consultants who’ve done just that.
CHRIS McKNIGHT Travel Counsellors
Specialises in: Cycling holidays
Why did you choose to specialise in cycling holidays? Because I love them! There are just a few key destinations that have the right combination of good weather, nice roads and varied terrain (Majorca is number one) and I’m an expert on them all because I’ve ridden there myself. I’m able to offer route guidance and even cafe and restaurant recommendations. When you plan routes in your spare time just for fun, doing it for a client doesn’t feel like work.
How is business? It’s a mix of family holidays, honeymoons and road trips. Specialist cycling holidays
account for about 50% of what I sell. Travel Counsellors has a great commercial team. They always have time for a chat about niche products and we work closely together to grow the business. I only launched in August 2024 and I’ve put a lot of work into my first year to capture bookings for this cycling season. I’m pleased to say it’s looking really good.
Do you tailor-make all your trips? Although I’m looking to work with more cycling-specific providers, I tailor-make
most trips. We have some really good suppliers that understand the requirements of travelling with sports equipment, offering specialist transfers and cycling-friendly hotels. Making sure the hotel has a big enough buffet to cater for a group of hungry cyclists is often a fun challenge!
How do you promote yourself? By riding my bike. I try to get out twice a week with local groups to ride and talk all things travel. I’ve picked up a few non-cycling bookings that way too.
travelweekly.co.uk
JULY 2025
15
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