Corporate agency, The Travel Group, has started a travel agent recruitment drive, looking for the right people with good values and good business sense. “We only take on the very best, highest calibre of consultants,” says the founder of the Group.
The company is currently looking for two corporate travel consultants, one business development manager and one senior software engineer at its Randburg office.
The Travel Group was started in 2014 by sole founder Earl Kennaugh. Fast forward to 2024, and the travel agency now has a workforce of 22 people across South Africa and the UK. It has also created its own online booking tool and, says Kennaugh, reports strong growth every year.
“Our business is growing at a rapid rate, with us recruiting a new consultant every month or two,” Kennaugh told Travel News.
“In many ways, our structure is a hybrid of ITC and employment. We offer the financial stability, structure, business and support (you are not on call 24/7) with the earning potential and many freedoms to run your own business.”
The Travel Group offers set salaries with transparent structure, and each role has a minimum performance requirement.
“Our top-tier consultants earn R70 000 per month. We have other perks like free hotel nights per annum and a global travel experience once a year for top performers. We also have an annual team getaway. Last year it was to Mozambique and this year’s global experience is to Disney, Universal and Miami,” said Kennaugh.
Furthermore, the travel agency allows its staff to move to the UK after at least one year of having a successful track record in South Africa. “This visa enables their family to move with them. After being in the UK for five years they can apply for residency,” Kennaugh said.
The company also offers a ‘Rent 2 Own’ plan where employees can rent a property the business owns. If the employee opts to purchase the property all their past rental payments are converted into repayments towards paying off the property. “You have to be employed by the Travel Group for at least one year and have a successful track record to qualify,” Kennaugh noted.
He added that although corporate travel experience is beneficial, the travel agency is more interested in finding the right people.
“You can learn how to book corporate travel but if you lack the drive or passion, you’ll not be successful at The Travel Group, no matter how much experience you have.”
In terms of personal attributes, Kennaugh said the most important are a high level of attention to detail/accuracy; highly solution-focused; and the ability to see mistakes as an opportunity to grow and think outside the box.
Kennaugh believes The Travel Group has a unique work environment where its team works as one unit to ensure consistent service to customers. The company therefore requires consultants to work from the office environment, which is in Randburg.
“Having said that, we understand life happens, so we give our people an annual allowance to work from home and take some time off work to see your child’s soccer game for example.”
He added that the company currently has rotated duty for after-hours support, and it is looking to recruit a dedicated after-hours consultant too.
The company’s GDS is Amadeus.