Ex-Opodo manager launches bespoke travel company
Former Opodo head of distribution Jerry Dunn has launched a bespoke travel planning and advice service called Travel Inspirator.
Dunn plans to earn a living by charging clients a fee for his advice, rather than rely on commissions from suppliers.
“I’m not acting as a travel agency. I am a personal travel advisor. I will have complete independence. My business plan is that my earnings will come from service fees I will charge customers.
“Although I will identify flights or tours for my clients to book with, I’m not planning to earn commission from the sales of that.”
Dunn, who has also worked Trailfinders, Galileo and Worldspan, left Opodo last summer to go travelling for six months.
“I wanted a lifestyle change so decided to move out of London, go travelling and now form my own business,” he said.
Travel Inspirator (www.travelinspirator.com) will provide personal consultations with clients to plan itineraries for long career breaks or short holidays.
“If there is a demand for this kind of thing I will, of course, look to take on more consultants,” Dunn added.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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