Travel Counsellors UAE launches new route to entry
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TDM, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
Travel Counsellors UAE has launched a new ‘route to entry’ for industry professionals looking to establish their own home-based travel business.
The Dubai-based branch of the home working company has introduced a travel trade programme designed for individuals with travel and tourism industry experience, but in non-retail roles.
Open to professionals in the hotel, airline, tour operator, inbound tourism (Destination Management Companies) and tourism board sectors, as well as non-GDS trained in-house travel consultants, it targets commercially-savvy executives with a passion for customer service, explained Holly McCann, recruitment executive, Travel Counsellors UAE.
McCann said: “The Travel Trade Programme, which is the first initiative of its kind in the UAE, is ideal for experienced industry professionals who aspire to run a successful travel business in partnership with an award-winning global company.
“It provides executives from a wide range of sectors, from hospitality to tourism, with the opportunity to use their knowledge and skills to sell travel and deliver the outstanding customer service for which Travel Counsellors is renowned.”
She added: “With unlimited earning potential and the flexibility to choose your own working hours, it’s a rewarding way to take your travel career to the next level.”
Until recently, the induction courses were designed exclusively for travel agents or non-industry professionals wishing to embark on a travel career were considered as Travel Counsellors franchisees.
However, the company identified a large number of people in the UAE with relevant and transferrable skills that were ideal candidates to run a travel business for the homeworking group, particularly hoteliers looking for a career change.
To become a Travel Counsellor via the Travel Trade Programme route, set-up fees apply, but include benefits including a three-week induction, access to the company’s global booking system, PC equipment, collateral and marketing materials, plus ongoing business development support from the Dubai-based management team.
The three-week intensive induction course is now staged four times annually in Dubai.
Three hotel and hospitality professionals recently joined Travel Counsellors via the new programme — Zaim Muhammad, Lucy Mousa and Roni Vargas — while Gillian McLornan, who previously worked in sales for hotel operator Jumeirah Group, has been a franchisee for five years.
