The Travel Franchise

The Travel Franchise, named World’s Best Lifestyle Franchise at the Global Franchise Awards for the second consecutive year, has reported its strongest earning months on record.

Top-performing franchisees in the network achieved commission rates of more than 16% on individual bookings during April. Multiple franchisees recorded five-figure single-booking days, with single sales exceeding £30,000 in value. Average booking value across the 800-strong network was up 12% year on year, indicating members are selling higher-value, more complex holidays.

Total commission paid by The Travel Franchise to its self-employed franchisee network rose 10.7% year on year over the month, reaching the highest level in the company’s history. The performance came as the franchise saw recruitment enquiries and new joiners both run 40% above the monthly average in the final quarter of 2025.

The franchise has positioned itself as accessible to career changers, with 98% of new joiners coming in with no prior travel industry experience. Consultants operate home-based businesses under the Not Just Travel brand, with access to more than 450 suppliers through the Hays Travel Independence Group along with training, technology and ongoing business development support.

Paul Harrison, co-founder of The Travel Franchise, said: “This is the strongest individual earnings picture we have seen across the network in some time. When top franchisees are taking 16% commission on bookings worth tens of thousands of pounds, it shows what the model can do for people who commit to it. That is what is drawing record numbers of new enquiries. People are looking for a credible, home-based business they can build, and we are seeing them come from every kind of background.”

Founded in 2001 by Witt and business partner Paul Harrison, The Travel Franchise operates a franchise model designed to lower the barrier to entry into the travel industry. The company runs The Travel Franchise as its dedicated recruitment brand for its consumer-facing brand Not Just Travel, providing structured training and induction for new joiners alongside the supplier and technology infrastructure provided to the wider network.

Harrison added: “You do not need to have worked in travel before. What you need is the drive to build something of your own, and we provide everything around that. The training, the technology, the supplier relationships and a community of members who back each other.”

The company was named both World’s Best Lifestyle Franchise and Best European Franchise at the Global Franchise Awards in 2025, retaining the lifestyle title for a second consecutive year.