2024 has been a year of exceptional growth and success, marked by award wins, record-breaking holiday sales and investments in technology, tools and talent. We’ve proudly supported our franchisees giving many a head start in an industry they love and sent agents on over 1,000 unforgettable trips overseas. Read on to learn more about our exciting journey and what’s ahead!
Celebrity Brand Ambassadors
In May, we were thrilled to announce a game-changing partnership with the one and only Eamonn Holmes OBE, a broadcasting icon who has captured the hearts of millions. Best known for his role as co-presenter of ITV’s This Morning until 2021, Eamonn has become an integral part of our brand. He’s joined us on an exclusive company cruise and is now a key host of our Travel Podcast, alongside fellow brand ambassador and TV presenter, Hayley Sparkes. And that’s not all — in January, Eamonn will sit down for a highly anticipated interview with Dame Irene Hays at our annual UK conference.
But Eamonn and Hayley aren’t our only star-studded supporters. We’re also proud to have Olympic legend Daley Thompson as a passionate advocate for our company. As a brand ambassador, Daley regularly attends events, helping to elevate our presence and inspire others with his exceptional journey from gold medalist to global icon. Together, these renowned figures are helping to take our brand to new heights, bringing unrivaled credibility and excitement to everything we do!
Unique Mentorship Retreats Abroad
This year, we’ve given hundreds of franchisees the chance to travel the world on more than 1,000 unforgettable company trips, many of which were included in their Elite franchise package. Our iconic Millionaire’s Retreat and Elite Experience whisked franchisees away to some of the most breathtaking destinations on the planet, from the Canary Islands and Crete to Mauritius, the Caribbean, and Orlando, just to name a few. But these trips weren’t just about the luxury — they were packed with high-impact coaching and networking opportunities designed to take their businesses to the next level. In fact, so transformative were these experiences that many agents have said they were worth the entire franchise fee on their own! Read more on the retreats here
Money-Back Challenge
This year, we gave numerous Elite franchisees £14,995 — yes, you read that right! They earned back their entire Elite franchise fee by beating our Money-Back Challenge, where we promise to refund the £14,995 if they hit a set commission target in their first year. What’s even more incredible? Several of them achieved the target in just six months, and many were working part-time, not full-time! We understand the first year can be the toughest, which is why we created this challenge to keep our franchisees motivated. And the results speak for themselves — these winners proved that with the right drive, success can come faster than you think! We believe the target is becoming too easy thanks to the new initiatives, training and support we’re giving franchisees… just look at the tool below… and read our MBC blog here
T-Quotation Tool
This year, we invested millions in cutting-edge technology, but the one our consultants can’t stop talking about is our T-Quotation Tool. This game-changing tool allows agents to create professional-looking quotes for clients in just minutes — effortlessly amending details, updating prices and adding guides, photos, and helpful information along the way. Typically, this kind of tool would cost agents around £1,000 a year, but earlier this year, we announced that our agents would get it completely free for six months. And the best part? We’re not stopping here — we’ll be investing even further in this tool in the New Year. Stay tuned for some exciting updates! Read more in our blog here.
New Partner in Travel Initiative
To help our agents expand their reach and attract new customers, we’ve made it easier than ever to partner with local businesses, charities, and sports clubs. Through these partnerships, when a business or organisation refers a client to you, they receive a share of your commission. This means less time spent on marketing for you and more opportunities to grow your network. Plus, if you team up with a charity, you’re not just building your business — you’re giving back to a good cause. Take Kelly, for example — she’s raised over £11,000 for a local charity through her partnerships! It’s a win-win for everyone involved. Read more in our blog here.
First Overseas Conference
While we host our annual UK conference every January, in 2024 we took things to the next level by holding our first-ever overseas conference — and it was nothing short of extraordinary! Over 130 top consultants set sail on a Virgin Voyages cruise ship for an unforgettable event, designed exclusively for consultants who’ve reached Platinum status and beyond. These high achievers have earned anywhere from £20,000 to £2 million in commission since joining, and this event was our way of celebrating their success. The conference took consultants on a round-trip from Barcelona, visiting some of Europe’s most stunning destinations, including Toulon, Marina de Carrera, Rome, and Ibiza. Throughout the journey, agents had plenty of opportunities to network, share insights and connect with key travel suppliers, all while enjoying the luxury of a Virgin Voyages cruise experience. It was the ultimate blend of business and pleasure!
Seminar at Sea
In 2022, we launched our Cruise Division to help agents master the art of selling cruises — and the results have been nothing short of astounding, with bookings soaring ever since! By joining the Cruise Division, you’ll gain access to exclusive opportunities like our discounted Seminar at Sea — a real cruise where you’ll receive expert training on board from some of the best cruise professionals in the industry.
Not only will you have the chance to experience a specific cruise brand first-hand, but you’ll also get to network with fellow consultants, sharing tips and strategies while enjoying a luxury cruise experience. In 2024, we hosted several Seminars at Sea in partnership with world-renowned cruise lines like Virgin Voyages, Princess Cruises, and MSC Cruises — an unforgettable opportunity with many agents growing cruise sales immediately after the trip!
Our Trophy Cabinet
This year, we took home the Best Home-Based Franchise award at the 2024 Franchise Business Awards — and not just in the travel industry, but across all franchise sectors! Many of our agents were also nominated for and won top industry awards. We also proudly claimed Best UK Travel Franchise at the SME Awards, and our consumer-focused brand, Not Just Travel, was named Cruise Member of the Year by Hays Travel.
Our company is shortlisted for even more prestigious awards, but let’s not forget the incredible achievements of our franchisees. Leading industry title, TTG awarded Isobel McCardie Smarter, Better, Fairer Travel Agent of the Year award, proving that even someone new to the travel industry can rise above and outshine agents with years of experience. Isobel is a shining example of what’s possible with determination and the right support!
Big Bookings and Diamond Agents
It’s been a year of big bookings – single holidays worth over £50k – with some agents securing sales over £150k. We had several new additions to our exclusive Diamond tier on our career ladder. These included Matt and Ash. Remarkably, they only joined us a couple of years ago after deciding to leave behind their fish and chip shop business – they seem to flip their hand at anything but have a true passion for travel. Since then, they’ve made an astonishing 900 bookings in just 975 days! And guess what? They did it all while working from anywhere in the world with just a laptop. They even made a £75k booking after a casual chat to someone on the beach! Their success is a testament to what’s possible when you’re ready to make a change and seize the opportunities our franchise offers. Meanwhile, David, one of our long-term franchisees hit an incredible milestone, surpassing £20 million in lifetime sales!
Training and Support
This year, we completely revamped our training programme — and the results speak for themselves. Agents in our Academy are now making sales faster than ever before! To ensure every agent gets the support they need, we’ve also expanded our BDM team, giving agents direct access to their personal business development manager when they need guidance.
In addition, we’ve allocated two dedicated trainers in the Academy, Toni and Robyn, who are helping to drive success and accelerate growth. Want to know more? You can catch an exclusive interview with Toni right here.
Discovery Events
We hosted several Discovery events throughout the year, offering potential franchisees a unique opportunity to meet Paul in person and ask all their burning questions in an informal, two-hour session. But don’t worry if you missed them — we’ve got another one coming up in January. And this isn’t just any Discovery event — it’s extra special because it takes place during our annual January Conference, giving you an exclusive sneak peek behind the scenes and a taste of what life would be like if you joined us! Sign up here — it’s completely free, and we can’t wait to see you there!
New Hires
We’re committed to bringing in top industry talent, and in 2024, we welcomed Clare Cruise as our Head of Cruise – and it’s not just because of her name! With 35 years of experience in travel, Clare has worked with several high-street giants and even spent time in tour operating. For the last 15 years, she’s been fully immersed in her true passion – cruising – making her the perfect person to help our franchisees boost their cruise sales. Clare is actively building strong relationships with the best cruise partners to ensure they offer exceptional deals and opportunities for our franchisees.
