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Are you a Travel Agency owner/manager wanting more bang for your buck?

If you’re an independent thinker owning and managing a travel agency, and you're concerned with rising costs and shrinking margins, you’re probably feeling stuck right now. Are the high overheads of a bricks & mortar agency no longer working for you post-COVID? Do you want to run your business your way but would appreciate the backing of an established partner with a can-do attitude? Step forward, TravelManagers!

If you’re an independent thinker owning and managing a travel agency, and you’re concerned with rising costs and shrinking margins, you’re probably feeling stuck right now. Are the high overheads of a bricks & mortar agency no longer working for you post-COVID? Do you want to run your business your way but would appreciate the backing of an established partner with a can-do attitude? Step forward, TravelManagers!

TravelManagers is a low-risk, high-reward premium travel network designed to support home-based mobile travel agents and travel advisors transition from the traditional brick-and-mortar stores to a mobile model. Benefits include key supplier relationships, state-of-the-art back-end support, and improved cash flow.

As Australia’s most successful specialist in the home-based travel advisory business, TravelManagers has helped hundreds of agency owners, managers, and experienced consultants flourish. How do they do it? Seventeen years of experience, a wealth of knowledge, and a can-do attitude!

Celebrating TravelManagers 17th birthday during TravelManagers South Australia State Meeting
Celebrating TravelManagers 17th birthday during TravelManagers South Australia State Meeting

TravelManagers understand the challenges you’re facing right now. Whether it’s becoming more cost-effective, increasing productivity, finding a work-life balance, or managing your post-pandemic recovery (TravelManagers were rockstars during COVID), they have a balanced approach to help you transition to a new operational environment focused on you thriving!

Being a work-from-home agent doesn’t mean you lose credibility with a mobile agency model. In fact, the TravelManagers model enables you to offer a more personalised service, with the support and backup of a premium travel partner.

Experienced PTM Melinda Rowe in her home office, East Jindabyne NSW
Experienced PTM Melinda Rowe in her home office, East Jindabyne, NSW

Here are some of the key benefits of partnering with TravelManagers:

  • Improved cash flow
  • No rent and ancillary costs
  • Opportunity for your consultants to remain with you as members of your team
  • No unnecessary costs to comply with industry regulations
  • Specialist support with marketing, finance, technology, training, and customer relations
  • Competitive deals with all key suppliers, including North America-based Signature Travel Network (giving you access to luxury product including hotels, resorts, tour operators, DMCs, and specialty providers)
  • Local support from one of TravelManagers six state-based Business Partnership Managers
  • PTM Network Assistance Program with health and wellbeing counselling sessions
  • Consumer Peace of Mind Guarantee delivering extra assurance to your clients that their funds are secure with you
  • Travel more! Remote access to bookings and admin means you can work from anywhere, with locum assistance if you need it
PTM Anne-Maree Selmo and helper in their home office in Edithvale, VIctoria
PTM Anne-Maree Selmo and helper in their home office in Edithvale, Victoria

While you might be oohing and aahing at the comprehensive benefits above, you may still have some questions. We posed these real-life questions to 10-year PTM veteran Julianne Gazal-Rizk to help you decide.

10-year PTM veteran Julianne Gazal-Rizk
10-year PTM veteran Julianne Gazal-Rizk

Will my clients think my business is online if I don’t have a store?

Julianne commented, “When my clients realised I’m not faceless and was still accessible by appointment in my home office or at a café, they were ecstatic. They enjoyed avoiding parking issues and the annoying interruptions that happen in store.”

How can I compensate for the lack of staff around to support me and make a sale?

“In addition to TravelManagers National Partnership Office (NPO) support, our PTM Facebook page is a goldmine of information. Everyone is so generous! My clients now benefit from 400+ colleagues when I need an answer to help plan their trip.”

I’m not sure I want clients visiting my home/office. Does it feel invasive?

“Personally, my office is in a separate space from the house (lucky, I know), and my clients have been working with me for years, so it feels comfortable. As mentioned, I meet some clients at a coffee shop or in the comfort of their own home. This results in highly personalised service which they truly value, so there are many ways to make it work.”

PTM Julianne Gazal-Rizk, Home office, Willoughby NSW
Julianne in her home office in Willoughby, NSW

Will I have access to reps, and how will I meet them?

“Absolutely! Sometimes we meet in a ‘cluster’ in a café; other times, they enjoy meeting me at home and presenting in a quiet space, one-on-one. Plus, many of our partner suppliers have dedicated home based sales staff who have a greater understanding of my business needs and offer 1 to 1 virtual based updates.”

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Will I be distracted and less productive at home?

“The beauty of the TravelManagers model is the flexibility it offers. So, if household chores need doing, you can multitask across the day and still complete a productive workday.”

How do I increase my client base if I’ve not got a shop front?

“Through networking, client recommendations, social media, and database marketing. TravelManagers have lots of marketing material that we can use.”

Who will do my newsletters?

“Once your clients subscribe to your newsletter, TravelManagers do the rest. They create a personalised email fortnightly. Clients think I’m very clever; little do they know I have a great partner doing the work!”

Who will look after my business and clients if I take leave?

“TravelManagers has a group of PTM locums who are paid hourly. They can also be used for extra admin tasks should you need help.”

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Will I still have access to brochures?

“Yes, TIFS will deliver brochure supplies to your home, though you won’t need large quantities like a store, so don’t worry about extra storage space.”

When is the best date to start?

“I started on the 1st July 2011 and found it beneficial to start on a new financial year. My accountant thanked me, too, as it meant I had a clean start date.”

How has it changed your life?

“So many ways! I now have choices, including the hours I work and how I break up the day (I’m fitter now because I gym when I want to). Plus, I enjoy having no overhead costs, no landlord, no commute (I’ve saved a ton on petrol), and I’m able to travel with little notice. I can work from anywhere now, and I do!”

The TravelManagers Deets, Peeps

Have Julianne’s questions piqued your interest? The time for action is now. Not only because you deserve to have your business in sync with your life and goals, but also because TravelManagers has suspended their joining fee for enquires received in May!

Don’t worry, you have until the end of June to lock in this awesome saving! Get your expression of interest in now and you can start your new home-based business partnership as you mean to go on – on your terms!

To meet the partner of your dreams (business-wise, at least), get in touch with TravelManagers today!

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