THE Travellers Choice network has unveiled a revamped membership structure – replacing the previous one-size-fits-all model with three different options to suit the variety of travel agency businesses which are re-emerging post the COVID-19 pandemic.
MD Christian Hunter said over the past two years “many independent travel businesses have responded by evolving their operations, some moving from an office to work remotely, and others embracing a hybrid model. We recognised an opportunity to adapt our membership requirements to ensure we offer independent travel businesses more choice and greater flexibility,” he noted, with the expanded solutions each featuring different levels of pricing and services “but all benefiting from the unparalleled support for which Travellers Choice is renowned”.
The new packages include “Activate”, ideally suited to home-based businesses or “start-up entrepreneurs” who receive a selection of essential services along with the ability to activate additional support as and when needed. “Elevate” members receive a complete suite of exclusive tools, products and services, while the third “Accelerate” tier is “tailored to high-turnover fast-growing businesses that want to accelerate the return on sales through a transparent and predetermined remuneration structure”.
Regardless of which option is chosen, Travellers Choice members will still continue to be shareholders in the company, and receive preferred supplier at-source commissions and overrides. Members will also be able to move between packages at any time.
“As always, Travellers Choice’s primary focus is on supporting our members to grow their businesses,” Hunter said. “Our new agile membership structure does that by giving members greater flexibility in terms of how they engage – now and into the future – with our unrivalled suite of sales and marketing services and team of business development managers.”
He said the group’s new membership structure coincides with an “inflection point in the history of the travel sector, when independent travel businesses are understandably re-evaluating their consortia arrangements”.
“I am confident that our new approach will resonate strongly with the broad range of businesses – from home-based operators to multi-location and high-turnover businesses – looking to activate, elevate or accelerate their business,” he added.
