Most people are happy for opportunities to relax and have some fun when their work is finished. Britons are no exception, and there is quite a demand for travel and leisure services in the country. This is great news for people looking to open businesses in the industry and if you play your cards right, there will be no shortage of customers. This makes our travel and leisure franchises great business opportunities for the right people.
The travel and leisure sector is one of the UK’s most fruitful areas of business, encompassing a broad range of opportunities. Health and fitness activities are no longer considered a luxury pursuit, but something that defines our lifestyle.
The average UK worker dedicates more hours to work than in previous generations, meaning that we have become much more focused on making the most of our valuable leisure time. What’s more is that our increased understanding of mental health issues has highlighted the importance of spending quality time with family and friends.
From nights out at the pub to a quiet night's dining with friends, from novelty experiences to memorable day trips and travels further afield. The UK public is keen to explore the quirky, the unusual, and the exotic.
Online travel agencies offer a wide range of great holidays and adventure-type experiences, while pampering and luxury events are becoming increasingly popular.
Whatever your passion, you can turn it into a business. Transform your hobby into a job: you'll never feel like you're at work ever again. Explore our travel and leisure opportunities to find a business model to suit you - whether on an owner-operator- or a management level.
The UK Leisure Market
The UK leisure market is one of our most diverse business environments; currently worth £117 billion.
Growth in the leisure sector is double that of retail - expanding at a rate of 5% year-on-year since 2010. The leisure market accounts for 7.4% of GDP.
It seems UK consumers love to spend their money on leisure and pleasure activities. Eating out has become a national obsession - easily the most popular leisure activity in the UK. In fact, 85% of all UK consumers dine out in restaurants, bars, pubs, and cafes regularly.
The UK is also obsessed with travel - spending more than £40 billion on trips abroad every year. This means our travel agency franchises potentially very lucrative business opportunities. The overseas market has taken a hit due to the pandemic and other factors, but still millions of people are looking to holiday in the UK.
In-home leisure has seen significant growth as well - we love to stay in as well as go out. Particular growth areas are TV, music, and video game streaming. Additionally, demand for high-quality food delivery has increased, with more of us expecting excellent meals, delivered promptly.
The future for the in-home leisure market looks set to have an exciting future in the coming months and years as people’s habits change. Investment in a franchise in this sector can see you getting involved in an industry that is set to boom.
Investing in travel or leisure businesses is all about making your customers lives happier, healthier, and - ultimately - more productive. Travel and leisure offers an enriching path to self-employment. Many people in the industry take great pleasure in knowing they’ve helped to make a positive difference in other peoples’ lives.
Why Franchising?
Franchising offers a unique entry into saturated markets. Where there are many other businesses clamouring for custom, people tend to go with familiarity. Franchising provides you with a recognisable brand, which - in turn - offers your clients peace of mind.
Rely on the hard-earned reputation of your parent brand to attract your customers in the first instance. Then you can give them excellent service and reliability that keeps them coming back.
With franchising, you get instantly recognisable branding, the benefit of a prior reputation, and entry to an existing customer base. You also get access to other benefits like training, and administrative support while you also get to benefit from the franchisors marketing campaigns.
Franchising Vs Independent
Independent companies are notoriously risky. Building a reputation is the most essential (yet challenging) element of starting any new business. Unfortunately, more than 50% of all independent companies fail within the first two years because they run out of the funds they need to sustain them.
Franchising - on the other hand - offers greater stability in those early years, with all the support and guidance you'll need, providing from the parent brand. Inherit a ready-built reputation for quality, customer care, and reliability - and ride out the risky start-up period.
When you invest in a franchise, you are also investing in a tried and tested business model. Not only should this give you more confidence in doing business but it can also help banks and other lenders feel more confident. This will help improve your chances of a loan whereas you might otherwise be struggling.
Is It For Me?
Working in the travel and leisure industry can be a lot of fun. If you have a particular passion within the industry, then getting involved with a business of your own may be more of a pleasure than a chore. You may get to take part in the activities you most enjoy while getting to meet like-minded people in the meantime. Plus, of course, owning your own business can come with significant financial rewards as well.
Browse Through our Travel & Leisure Franchises
Browse our travel & leisure franchise listings (and our online travel agency franchises). With a wide selection to choose from, there is bound to be something that suits you down to the ground. We are more than happy to answer any questions you might have and help you find an opportunity that’s right for you.
Get in touch and take the first step towards your own lucrative business today.
We look forward to helping you find an exciting franchise that will help you to profit financially while doing something you love.
Further Reading
Hotel franchises are a huge part of the travel industry. Read more about one of the most popular hotel franchises within the travel franchise sector.
Facebook and a travel franchise. How one complemented the other.
An award-winningtravel franchise.
Want to make £1million in sales? Learn how this franchisee from a popular travel franchise managed to do so
Why the travel franchise offers its homeworking travel consultants free mentorship retreats abroad