Is there anything that I can offer my customers as a Travel Counsellor which sets me apart?
Yes, time! Through our excellent back-up and support you will have more time to concentrate on each customer, giving you the opportunity to carry out more details research, give more quote options and including more value added benefits. All this will result in a much higher rate of conversions for you. Then there's the fact that your clients money is protected against supplier failure, which is a guarantee that no one else can offer and is a valuable reassurance to your customers in these difficult times. Additionally there is our Phenix online system with over 700,000 quality hotels, car hire, transfers, attractions and city tours at unbelievable rates that will not fail to impress your customers. Lastly, there's our robotic ticketing, vouchering and on-line payment system, which means that you complete an entire booking in minutes without any head office intervention. This is great for urgent re-issues and re-bookings and will definitely set you apart from your peers.
Can I choose my own hours?
It’s your business, so you’re the boss. Just make sure that you’re devoting enough time to developing your business and nurturing your customer base. If you’re working one hour a day and expecting incredible rewards, you might be disappointed – it’s no coincidence that our most successful Travel Counsellors are also our hardest working!
Do I have to be home-based?
The vast majority of our Travel Counsellors work from home – but if you’d prefer, you’re welcome to rent a non-retail office. But our stats show that you’ll be happier and more successful working from the comfort of your own home!
I’ve heard home working can be lonely. Is there any support available?
There are over 1,600 Travel Counsellors working around the clock, around the world – so you’ll always find that there’s someone to talk to if you fancy a chat! But we’re not just about webcams, message boards and TCTV broadcasts. You’ll have plenty of ways to meet with your friends and colleagues face to face, with our anniversary days, training days and our prestigious Annual Conference. As a member of the TC family, we promise you’ll never feel alone.
If you would like support at any time, our friendly and helpful Business Development team are only ever a phone call away.
What experience do I need?
Ideally we look for a minimum of five years recent hands on travel sales experience selling a broad range of tour operators and products, a Galileo certification and good fares and ticketing.
How long does it take to get set up?
We'd like to meet you in person so that we can tell you more about us and what we do and also to find out more about you. Thereafter the recruitment process involves providing us with your current CV, completing a brief questionnaire and application form and completing an online Activity Vector Analysis (AVA) for us. Applications take approximately 48 hours to be processed all being well and after signature of your franchise agreement you are then scheduled to attend one of our four day induction programmes held in Cape Town every month. We pay for your accommodation, airport transfers (if required) and meals during the introduction. Being a Travel Counsellor however requires a full time commitment, which means that at the time you join us you will have terminated all ties with your previous employers and will not be employed full or part time elsewhere in any other capacity.
When do we get paid?
You’ll be paid monthly by bank transfer. If you have any queries, you can always call our Accounts team for friendly expertise!
Do you provide leads?
One of the pre-induction activities involves sending over all your personal business contacts – whether they’ve ever booked with you or not. We’ll add them to your Contact Centre ready for when you come for your Induction. You’ll then receive our full support to help you nurture and grow that list into a loyal customer base.
Will you help me market my business?
Yes, your Business Development Executive will help you develop a detailed plan on how to market yourself and your business in your area. We also have great business and leisure aids such as PowerPoint presentations and business presentation folders for tendering purposes. Plus we have great tools for you to use on our intranet system such as personalised marketing e-shots, electronic post cards and destination podcasts, which you can send to clients and prospects.
Is there out of hours support?
In addition to the unparalleled support provided by our team at head office, there are also staff on standby out of hours to assist you in cases of emergency. However, you also have the option of using our new robotic ticketing facility, hotel vouchering system and 24 hour online payment system, which means that you can process out of hours ticket requests without any head office intervention if you wish.
What happens when I go on holiday?
We operate a buddy system so another Travel Counsellor will take care of your business whilst you are away – allowing you the time to enjoy your holiday safe in the knowledge your customers are being looked after.
Can I rely on your Head Office for my admin?
Travel Counsellors dedicated administration team handles all booking related paperwork to ensure consistency, continuity and a seamless service (using our robotic ticketing facility will put you in control even more and improve your efficiency). In a recent survey, 98% of Travel Counsellors rated head office support as excellent or good. Additionally, all your sales and commissions, which are paid to you monthly, are tracked daily and are displayed live on your intranet screen for you to see. The whole system is very transparent.
I’ve always enjoyed going on educational trips – will I still have that opportunity?
Yes, we have excellent relationships with all our suppliers as well as hosting our own trips. We believe first-hand experience of a destination is vital and we encourage all our Travel Counsellors to broaden their knowledge by taking advantage of the fantastic range of educationals we offer.
Can I still employ my own staff?
Travel Counsellors’ unique franchise agreement means that you can employ your own staff, should you wish to do so, once your business gets to a certain level. It also means at a future date you can sell your business and realise the value in it.
What does it cost to become a Travel Counsellor?
If you have travel agency experience, then the cost to join us is R5000 + VAT which covers everything you need to set up your business including the right to use the Travel Counsellors trademark and brand. Thereafter there is a monthly management fee of R500 per month.
What licensing and membership does Travel Counsellors hold?
Travel Counsellors (Pty) Ltd is an IATA registered travel agency. We are also members of ASATA (Association of South African Travel Agents) and we currently hold a level 2 BEE Accreditation.
Do I have to have a client base?
It is desirable for you to come with a client base but not compulsory. Our training highlights methods and techniques which will assist you to develop your own client base over time, as well as providing ideas for growing existing client bases. We're the only home-based company to employ a full time Business Development Executive whose function it is to assist and help each TC to be successful.
Do I have to sell preferred suppliers?
No. We believe that you must be free to sell whatever suppliers you want to, within reason. However, we have approved over 160 official suppliers whose background and financial standing have been checked and verified by us. When you use any of these suppliers, your clients will have the added benefit of knowing that their monies are covered by our financial protection plan which protects them fully in the event of supplier insolvency. Additionally we have negotiated better than average upfront commissions with many of these suppliers and we also have a variety of private and corporate fares as well as IT fares with a large number of airlines.
Do I need to register a company to join Travel Counsellors?
No, all Travel Counsellors sign a franchise agreement with us and thereafter trade as self-employed sole proprietors in their own name. For example; Petrone Schoeman - Travel Counsellor. There are no company registrations or paperwork required to trade as a sole proprietor.
Other companies offer a better commission split, will you match them?
Travel Counsellors offers outstanding value for its fee structure. Besides the superior administration and technology support we provide which surpasses anything in the market, we are also continually making investments in technology costing millions of Rand each year. This on-going investment ensures that you stay at the forefront of the travel industry and comes at no additional cost to you. No other company offers the scope of hands on business development support and marketing tools which are so critical in helping you to win new business. Many items that other companies charge for are free with Travel Counsellors: we will not charge you merchant fees when collecting service fees from your clients by credit card, or courier fees to deliver documents to your clients, or for developing your personal corporate and leisure website. No other company supplies free laptops, printers, leisure and business travel websites, brand films, or free quarterly copies of GSA, monthly copies of TIR and weekly copies of TNW. When you compare the additional costs of other home-working companies to the all-inclusive approach of Travel Counsellors, you will soon discover that we offer the best recruitment package in the market.
