A proactive move ensures agents’ perspectives are acknowledged through a dedicated panel.
- The panel, comprising six members, was established following valuable feedback.
- Panel members are poised to engage in quarterly virtual meetings and annual in-person sessions.
- Sales for Personal Travel Consultants are experiencing significant growth, a 28% rise reported.
- A strong shift towards self-generated sales by Personal Travel Consultants is evident.
To elevate the voices of self-employed travel agents, Personal Travel Consultants has established a dedicated six-member panel. This initiative is a direct response to feedback gathered from its 55 homeworkers, ensuring that agents’ perspectives are effectively represented and integrated into decision-making processes. The announcement was part of the group’s second annual conference held in Majorca, where an impressive 28% growth in year-on-year sales was reported up to September.
The panel features Kerry Jones, Jaclyn Keighley, and Carly Cockburn, selected from among the agents, alongside business development executives Louise Rothwell and Vikki Griffin, with Abbie Heaton as the group manager. These representatives will engage in discussions with managers from various Blue Bay Travel departments to exchange ideas and best practices, fostering a collaborative environment.
Panel meetings will occur virtually each quarter, with at least one in-person meeting per year to strengthen ties and ensure comprehensive feedback. Heaton emphasised the importance of including Personal Travel Consultants in strategic decisions, stating, ‘We had feedback from the team that PTCs wanted their own people to be part of any decisions and create unity between them and the organisation.’
The conference also revealed that Personal Travel Consultants’ sales are trending positively, predicting a continued growth margin of nearly 30% for the remainder of the year. Passenger numbers show a 15% increase compared to the previous year. A significant portion of these sales, particularly 60% self-generated, underscores the effectiveness of the agents’ engagement strategies.
Agents benefit from a 65% commission on sales they drive themselves, which constitutes 81% of cruise bookings. This commission structure incentivises agents to improve their selling techniques and share successful practices. Heaton observed, ‘It’s a no-brainer,’ highlighting how a personal touch attracts more clients who prefer detailed and attentive handling of their holiday plans.
The formation of this panel marks a strategic shift towards inclusive decision-making, reflecting the growing agency of self-employed travel consultants.
