The Travel Franchise has built a strong reputation for helping individuals new to the travel industry launch successful home-based businesses. However, as the company’s franchisees thrive, some are now expanding beyond their home offices, seeking the company’s expertise to open retail locations.
In the past month alone, three franchisees have made the leap from home-based travel consultants to opening bustling customer-facing outlets, marking a significant milestone in their business journeys.
Among the success stories are James and Natasha Oliphant, and Rachael and Colman Coyne, two of Not Just Travel’s most accomplished husband-and-wife teams.
Rachael and Colman opened their new retail unit on Lindley High Street, Huddersfield, on November 9. “It feels natural for us to invest in our local area,” said Rachael. “With consumer confidence remaining strong, we’ve decided to respond to the growing demand by opening a physical shop. Our customer base has grown to the point where we need extra space and staff, beyond just welcoming clients into our garden office to plan their travels.”
Meanwhile, James and Natasha have opened a new travel centre within Longacres Garden Centre in Bagshot. According to Natasha, the new location has been a hit with clients who appreciate face-to-face reassurance when booking their holidays. “Many of our new clients initially feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of online information. They come to us for guidance and a personal touch,” she said. As their business continues to grow, the couple is considering hiring additional staff to meet the increasing demand.
In a similar success story, consultant Kelly Baldwin opened “The Travel Hub” on Cottenham High Street in Cambridgeshire. Kelly, who launched her travel business in 2022, has quickly scaled up and now leads a team of six. The new premises provide an opportunity for the team to work in person while still benefiting from the flexibility of remote working. “Opening The Travel Hub was a natural progression for us. It allows us to better serve our clients and foster a strong sense of team well-being,” Kelly said.
Not Just Travel co-founder Steve Witt expressed his pride in the growing success of the franchisees. “We’re incredibly proud of the way our consultants have adapted to meet their customers’ needs, and how our team has supported them in taking their businesses to the next level. These entrepreneurs are a testament to the power of our company values and relationships, and we’re excited to see what they accomplish next.”
While many of The Travel Franchise’s consultants continue to thrive in home-based businesses, the trend toward face-to-face bookings is on the rise. According to the latest figures from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), 38% of consumers booked a holiday through a travel professional in the past year, up from 34% the previous year. The trend is particularly strong among younger families and millennials, with a significant increase in the proportion of young families (55%) and 18-24-year-olds (48%) booking through travel professionals in 2024.
“This trend reinforces that a travel franchise is an excellent investment for anyone looking to build a successful, fulfilling business,” said Witt. “The demand is there, and we’re here to help our consultants take full advantage of it.”