Happier with Hayes

A new survey from The Personal Travel Agents at Co-operative Travel has revealed that homeworking has hit a five-year high. Jessica Pook speaks to David Coulter, a Hays Travel Premier Homeworker, about the appeal of working at home.

"Working from home gives me the opportunity to concentrate on my higher-profile customers and create bespoke itineraries. With Hays Travel I have the option to work with my own customers, and also to link into Hays' telesales system. This is great for generating additional business and repeat custom.

"I find myself cultivating good relationships with my customers as I can offer them out-of-hours calls and appointments.

"I make a point of attending as many local industry events as possible, as this is my main point of contact with the rest of the industry. It is extremely important to network and I always learn something new at product events.

"It's important we have the knowledge to sell confidently, and personally I would hate to see webinar training replace talking face-to-face with industry experts, especially with (client) expectations steadily increasing."

Homeworking for you ?

"There is a misconception that working from home is somehow an easier way of earning an income. The truth is, if you put the hours and the energy in you will reap the rewards. Of course it can be difficult not having other people around in your working environment and I do miss the office ‘craic’. Having said that, Hays provide fantastic support and their team leaders are always at hand to assist.

"I'm increasingly seeing American pyramid selling schemes coming into the UK and recruiting people with little or no experience to work as home travel consultants. I would tell anyone who is considering going into homeworking to only do so through a reputable UK-based travel company, such as Hays."

Making a comeback

"I am definitely seeing an increasing demand for long-haul tailor-made holidays. Good travel agents can really come alive in building bespoke holidays for their customers.

"The USA is as popular as ever and many European summer destinations, such as Turkey, are making a fierce comeback."

haystravel.co.uk/careersk

Demand is high for longhaul tailor made holidays