Comedian Ruby Wax to discuss mental health at Travel Counsellors’ conference

Up to 2000 Travel Counsellors are expected to tune in to the group’s annual conference, which will take place online for the first time on Friday.

A key theme of the one-day virtual event will be recognition of how individual Travel Counsellors have come together to support their customers during the pandemic, it said.

"Creating positive experiences and nurturing customer relationship will be cited as the key to future business growth for the company’s business owners," it added.

"The vital topic of looking after mental wellbeing will also feature throughout the agenda, as lockdown restrictions continue across the globe."

Special guests will include ‘free-from’ food entrepreneur Kirsty Henshaw and best-selling author Ruby Wax, who holds a degree in minfulness-based cognitive therapy from Oxford University and was awarded an OBE in 2015 for her services to mental health.

The keynote speaker will be author and conference-favourite Dr Paul Redmond who will present his latest research on consumer behaviour. "Recognising that the pandemic has shone a spotlight on remote-working, Dr Redmond will provide insights on how Travel Counsellors business owners can adopt an entrepreneurial mindset and embrace digital communication to continue to offer highly personal experiences for their customers, as businesses adapt and face the challenges presented by the new normal," said the company.

Travel Counsellors UK Managing Director Kirsten Hughes added: "Whilst we would have loved the opportunity to get together in person to celebrate the achievements of our business owners, colleagues and travel partners at what has always been the annual highlight of the Travel Counsellors calendar, our virtual conference will ensure our people still have the chance to connect together and look forward to the future, highlighting the tools, technology and community support in place to continue to grow successful businesses.

"We will all take huge learnings from this year, and will be able to use these experiences to build resilient corporate and leisure travel businesses, backed by the personal experiences Travel Counsellors have provided for their customers throughout this time, showing care and providing real, human travel advice when it really mattered."

The company is also staging a virtual evening bash, which will recognise a host of ‘TC Heroes’ across the global community who have looked after their customers, fellow Travel Counsellors and colleagues over a challenging period, as well as a host of entertainment, including a dedicated ‘TCs Got Talent’ show.