March 2026 was The Travel Franchise's busiest month for new sign-ups and enquiries since July 2025

When the economy wobbles, smart people stop waiting for job security and start building their own

March 2026 was The Travel Franchise's busiest month for new sign-ups and enquiries since July 2025

Job security used to mean a good employer. Increasingly, people are deciding it means not needing one.

That shift is showing up clearly at The Travel Franchise, the UK's number one franchise for people new to travel, where March 2026 brought the highest number of new enquiries and consultant sign-ups since July last year. The timing is not a surprise to the founders. When headlines about economic uncertainty and political instability start stacking up, more people start doing the maths on what it would actually cost to build something of their own.

And the maths here is accessible. Entry starts from £2,995. There are no shop premises, no stock, no employees required. Monthly running costs are low. Most new consultants start part time, alongside an existing job, which means the risk of taking that first step is far lower than people expect.

"Right now, there is an unprecedented demand for people wanting to start their own business, but with the backup and support of a proven system," says Paul Harrison, Co-Founder of The Travel Franchise. "Every day, we hear from so many people wanting to make a change in their lives."

"We've been busy before, but March felt different. The conversations we're having with people are changing,” says Jenny Farenden, Head of The Travel Franchise. “It's less 'I've always wanted to work in travel' and more 'I need to do something that works for me.' People are looking for something real, with proper support behind it, and that's exactly what we offer."

A business you can build around your life

The model is straightforward. Franchisees run their own home-based travel consultancy, earning commission on holidays they book for clients. No travel experience is needed. Around 70% of new starters join part time. Many are in their 30s, 40s or 50s, career changers from teaching, healthcare, finance, the armed forces, people who wanted flexibility and income potential without starting from scratch alone.

The support behind them is substantial. Training begins with a focused induction programme, new consultants get a dedicated business consultant as a personal coach, and Elite franchisees receive two overseas mentorship retreats included in their package. Through a partnership with Hays Travel Independence Group, every consultant has access to over £3 billion in buying power and more than 450 tour operators.

For those who want to build something significant, the ceiling is high. Several consultants have passed £500,000 in commission. Recent joiners are booking seven figures in holidays within their first two years. For those who simply want a flexible second income alongside other commitments, the model works for that too.

The network is growing, and getting stronger

March also saw the rollout of The Travel Franchise's upgraded launch training programme, with broader skills, new tools and a faster path to confidence for new starters. Unusually, every existing consultant in the network was also invited to attend, free of charge. Over 40 took up the offer.

"We already believed we had the best training programme," says Steve Witt, Co-Founder of The Travel Franchise. "With the rollout of our new launch system, we know there is no better way to get started in travel. But this isn't just for new starters. When your whole network gets stronger, everyone benefits."

The results speak to a model that holds up under pressure. Despite wider market headwinds in March, eight of the company's top twenty consultants recorded year-on-year growth in excess of 50%. Several more than doubled their business. The Travel Franchise has now been voted Best Lifestyle Franchise in the World by Global Franchise for two consecutive years, 2025 and 2026, and ranks among the top 10 franchises in the UK overall (Franchise Direct).

What it looks like in practice

Amy spent 15 years in financial services before joining as an Elite franchisee in mid-2024. Within 18 months she had booked over £1.3 million in holidays. She went part time in her previous job in August 2025 and left entirely by the end of the year. "I love it," she says. "I feel free. I get to travel and earn good money. This doesn't feel like work. It feels like I've finally found what I'm meant to do."

Jarrad, a qualified accountant from Wales, completed the Money Back Challenge in just six months, meaning his entire £14,995 franchise fee was refunded. By January 2026 he had passed £1 million in holiday bookings, all while continuing to work part time. "Now I'm in a position where I've got a business and a part-time job that fit around my life," he says. "It's been life-changing."