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Worldchoice Affiliate scheme established to boost membership
Independent agency consortium Worldchoice has set up an Affiliated Agents scheme in an attempt to boost numbers.
The scheme is aimed at start-up agencies and existing outlets that are looking to restructure.
Affiliated Agents will come under the ABTA bonding and licensing arrangements operated by the consortium’s commercial arm Worldchoice Travel/Enterprises for its shops, according to the group. This releases them from the “costly and onerous” task of obtaining both.
Affiliated Agents will also have the administrative back office procedures carried out centrally.
They will also have access to the same services and technology associated with being a Worldchoice member, as well as the benefits of being part of the Triton Travel Group.
Affiliated Agents will also be able to use the Worldchoice brand, and the package allows them to operate either as homeworkers or high street agents.
Worldchoice membership support director Helen Burgess said: “We were determined to make the Affiliated Agent package as transparent as possible to avoid the situation where members sign up only to discover there are extra costs involved if they wanted to benefit from other services or technology.
“This type of membership will give substantial help to people who are keen to become travel agents without having to make a significant franchise investment.
“However, it will also be useful for businesses on the verge of restructuring – for instance, those looking to downsize by relinquishing their high street retail shop to become a homeworker; or businesses that are finding that administrative requirements are prohibiting expansion.”
Worldchoice chairman and managing director Colin Heal added: “We felt it was important to offer both our members, members from outside the Triton Travel Group and new entrants into the travel industry a flexible and affordable package.
“We believe we have come up with a cost-effective solution that enables owners to be the boss of their own business but backed up with the full support of the Worldchoice organisation.”
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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