Steve Witt, Co-founder of Not Just Travel and its recruitment arm, The Travel Franchise.
Published: February 1, 2023 | Updated: 4th February 2023
Bournemouth-based travel consultancy Not Just Travel is celebrating a booming January with bumper profits and sales.
Last month’s sales values were up 65 per cent year on year while profits were up 83 per cent compared to the previous year – and 85 per cent on 2019.
January 31 saw sales values for the company at the highest on record – up 27 per cent on its previous busiest day which was January 18 this year.
Trade figures show Not Just Travel sales and profit increases are over-indexing industry competitors by more than double.
In addition, the average number of bookings per travel consultant per month has increased by more than a half.
The company has seen big gains for cruise holidays with the average number of cruise bookings per day increase by 2.5 times.
Steve Witt, Co-founder of Not Just Travel and its recruitment arm, The Travel Franchise, said: “The number of bookings made by each consultant is our best measure of success as it shows our consultants are eager and active.
“The fact that it is higher than ever before proves that they are expert, confident and well-trusted by customers. This is naturally reflected in our sales.
“High-ticket luxury and ‘milestone’ holidays are still in high demand as people are investing more in dream trips.
“Pre-pandemic, we used to book £10,000+ holidays every few days, now they are as frequent as every other booking.
“Our increased sales and booking values show that people will sacrifice many other lifestyle items before they reconsider their holidays.”
One of Not Just Travel’s consultants, Lloydie Gardiner, bought a travel franchise when a road traffic accident forced him to give up his job.
He has recently sold £150,000-worth of holidays in just two weeks.
Lloydie said: “I’ve taken £280,000 in January and I’m also currently pricing up a big overseas wedding in the Maldives for 2024 which will be worth around £200,000.”
Last year he turned over £1.3 million in holidays and Lloydie expects growth of at least 15 per cent this year.
Even franchisees who have only launched their travel businesses recently are experiencing huge success.
One consultant, a nurse, has booked £105,000 worth of holidays in the 55 days since starting her business alongside her full-time job in the NHS.
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January 2023 Booking stats
Top 10 Destinations for Not Just Travel last month:
The last seven days saw:
