Making a travel retail agency move might seem like a daunting task but with the right support, joining a new consortium can be a simple and seamless process. And, according to those who’ve already made the leap, the rewards are immense.
There are lots of reasons why a travel agency owner will remain with a retail group – even when they are less than satisfied.
For starters, most business owners are so frantically busy – especially now – that the mere thought of investigating new options and then executing a switch is overwhelming.
It’s less stressful than staying
Travellers Choice National Business Manager Tim Bolton said the reality is the process requires far less time and energy than most people imagine.
“In general, agency owners perceive the process to be more laborious than it is. As a result, they stick with the status quo, even when they know that it’s not the best strategy for their business,” he said.
Another common reason agents are reluctant to try something new is they are simply unaware of how much better life can be.
“Many agents have been with the same group for so long they think the support they receive – or, more accurately, don’t receive – is as good as it gets. They literally don’t know what they are missing,” Mr Bolton added.
“So, for instance, when we describe how Travellers Choice members who need assistance receive same-day contact from our head office – rather than having to wait a week or more, as they do with their current group – they look at us with genuine disbelief.”
Find out from those who’ve moved (and loved it)
The best assurance for those considering making a move is to speak to agents from other groups, especially those who have recently switched retail consortia.
After many years of being members of a major franchise group and surviving the ravages of the pandemic, Newcastle-based agency owners Andrew Minto and Georgette Southam decided it was time for a change.
After talking to former franchisees who had embraced a new group, Andrew was confident that a change could take his business to the next level.
But he was concerned his agency would have to find a new identity and worried about how customers would react.
“When we changed our name, more than half of our clients didn’t even realise. Those who noticed wanted to learn more about our new path and were excited for us,” he said.
“We realised who we are as a business is not defined by the name above our door, it’s the individuals behind that door – the people in your business who your clients know and enjoy working with.”
Support when you need it
Mr Minto said the change was made easier with support from his new group, Travellers Choice, which helped develop his agency’s new identity as Home & Afar Travel.
“From day one, we had the Travellers Choice team’s guidance and support as we worked through a flexible checklist. It gave us confidence and ensured the move was seamless and stress-free.”
Same name, but different
As a long-time independent, Tailor Made Travel Mt Gambier’s Leah Mullen didn’t need a new identity.
Becoming the agency’s sole owner in 2022, she simply wanted to explore new options in terms of retail affiliations and settled on Travellers Choice.
“My main concerns were practical, in particular, how would the transfer of client bookings work and how would the change be effectively communicated to suppliers?” she said.
“I also needed to be confident that issues such as website construction and IT support would be seamless.
“If I had to manage all of that myself, the whole project might have moved into the ‘too hard’ basket but the Travellers Choice team supported me throughout the process and afterwards with clear, concise and consistent communication.”
Reaping the rewards
Ms Mullen said the change was absolutely worth it for her business.
“I’m now a member shareholder of a company that is phenomenally responsive and genuinely committed to helping me achieve my personal definition of success,” she said.
Mr Minto agreed: “The move was the beginning of a new growth phase for us and in that sense, it’s been everything we hoped for.”
Find out more here or contact the Travellers Choice team at admin@travellerschoice.com.au
Ready to become a member? Head here.
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