Travel Counsellors welcomes first agents in UAE

The new recruits, who come from a range of backgrounds, have now completed their initial week of training including being trained on the company's innovative booking systems and award winning technology, adapted to the UAE market.

They were joined by the company Sales Director Malcolm Hingley, who flew over from the UK for the training, as well as the Dubai-based support team headed by General Manager and experienced industry professional Harvey Lines.

"We are delighted to have our first Travel Counsellors operational in the UAE," said Harvey. "The training has gone very well and we have had an excellent response from our four new agents, who are now equipped to run their own home-based travel businesses, providing unique tailor-made travel solutions and selling an extensive range of travel products from leisure and corporate suppliers. What makes us different is the support we give to our agents to ensure they can dedicate their time to building valuable relationships with their clients and provide a truly unique level of personal service. We now look forward to providing this support to our agents in Dubai who embark on their exciting new ventures and are confident this service will be extremely well received by customers across the region," he added.

The new Travel Counsellors have been given in-depth training on the company's ground-breaking dynamic packaging system, Phenix, which allows its agents to quickly and easily search and compare different travel options in a matter of minutes and greatly increases their earning potential, as well as its innovative Contact Centre which allows each agent to create, administer and market to their own personal customer database.

Alongside this, the company has developed an extensive internal communications system which means the agents and staff can communicate globally via webcam, instant message and also post questions and advice on internal message boards, enabling them to share local knowledge whilst supporting and motivating one another, so although they work alone, they never actually feel alone.

"I have always had such a passion for travel and really wanted to return to the field after putting my career on hold to have my children. I moved here with my family last August and when I heard about the Travel Counsellors opportunity I knew immediately it was what I was looking for," said new Travel Counsellor Nada Daibes, originally from Sydney.

Nada, who worked in flight reservations alongside travelling extensively throughout her career, continued, "I am confident this exciting new venture will enable me to build up a successful business whilst doing something I love and above all being able to make my customers travel dreams come true. Plus the fact that I am running my business from home means I can also have the flexibility to balance family life with my career. During my training I was so impressed by the level of support, professionalism and experience the company offers its agents. After visiting the headquarters in Dubai, meeting the management and training team, and using the amazing technology, Travel Counsellors really has met my every expectation."

The new recruits include one agent who will be training as part of the company's Academy programme, which allows those from outside the industry who have a passion for travel and desire to run their own business the opportunity to become Travel Counsellors through an initial intensive two week training programme and further on-going training and support.

The company's Travel Counsellors in Dubai will be able to sell a full range of travel products, benefiting from both the company's existing global travel deals and its new partnerships with key suppliers in the region.

"We have witnessed a considerable amount of interest from the industry and are excited to welcome our first agents to the team," said Travel Counsellors' Managing Director Steve Byrne.

"We feel there is a demand in the current market for the Travel Counsellors concept, offering customers, agents and suppliers a new way of doing business. Travel Counsellors is successful because we are committed to building lasting relationships with our customers and we are extremely positive about what the future holds for our operation in the UAE," he added.

Iain Andrew, DSVP of dnata's travel business adds, "We see great synergy in dnata's joint venture with Travel Counsellors and share a common vision to bring innovation, customisation and the highest levels of service to all aspects of business. There is a tremendous opportunity in this region for the bespoke, personalised service that Travel Counsellors provides and as a leading travel management company, we are committed to bringing the finest travel products to our customers."