Not Just Travel agents see peaks momentum continue in March

Agents with Not Just Travel’s franchise business have reported bumper sales in March as the momentum of the peak selling period in January and February has continued.

Many of them have passed the £100,000 sales mark for the month, which still has another week to run.

Husband-and-wife team Mark and Isobel McCardie (pictured), who run their Rock My World business with Not Just Travel, have made sales worth more than £363,000 so far and are on target to top £400,000 by the end of March.

Another couple, Lee and Louise Trowbridge, have made £174,000; Agata Wiencis has sold £137,000; Julie Anne Craig has hit £120,000; and Kelly Baldwin has reached £103,000.

Ben Casey made bookings worth more than £100,000 in two weeks – matching the total he made in February.

More: Not Just Travel launches recruitment drive to fill 25 roles

Not Just Travel reports ‘best-ever peaks season’

Mark and Isobel said their target for the first quarter was £1.2 million and they are on course to exceed that figure – which means their sales are better than their pre-pandemic results.

“We are focusing more on the luxury market; the average booking values are considerably higher,” said Mark.

Isobel said their clients are mostly repeat customers who seem unaffected by cost-of-living concerns and are booking destinations in Canada, Asia and Africa.

The pair are also working on long-haul honeymoons, such as one to South Africa and Zanzibar and another in South America.

Furthermore, their business has a part-time concierge to give clients VIP treatment and they have support from Not Just Travel’s concierge service.

“The concierge service is one of the keys to our success; it differentiates us,” said Mark.

Not Just Travel said its cruise sales for January to March are three times the amount made in the same quarter of 2022, with an average booking value of £4,624.

The number of holidays booked per travel consultant is up 50% compared to the same period last year.

Steve Witt, co-founder of Not Just Travel and its recruitment arm The Travel Franchise, said: “Our sales figures are showing that the traditional steep upward and downward curve of peaks has changed shape.

“The peak has turned into a mountain range as demand continues unabated.

“Enquiries are continuing to convert into bookings for 2023 and into 2024 as the consumer learns that the early bird catches the best flight and resort.

“Most importantly, our network is making a higher number of bookings per consultant than ever before.

“With our continuously improving training and development programme including our International Mastery Retreat, Cruise Mastery and Seminar At Sea programme, they are more confident, expert and efficient at making sales and higher profits than ever.”