GoCruise & Travel

• Business model: Our Franchisee model is designed to appeal to individuals who dream of running their own business in the travel industry, providing them with the support, processes, and protection under the GoCruise & Travel umbrella. This empowers the Franchisee to build a customer database and effectively sell cruise and holiday products, whilst benefitting from the strong backing of Fred. Olsen Travel. Our Franchisees operate under our branding, with their own personalised page on our website.

• Costs: Our joining fee is £495+VAT for everyone. In   the first year of operating your business, there is even an opportunity to recoup this fee if you achieve a gross turnover of £100,000 or more. We have three training options to choose from, depending on your background: £5,995+VAT for our New to Travel programme. £295+ VAT for our Experienced in Travel programme. £1,995+VAT for our Returning to Travel programme. There is a monthly management fee of £130+VAT which covers licenses, systems, head office support, administrative support, finance support and business development.

• Commission structure: Agents keep between 65 and 70% of the commission paid to us on the holidays and cruises they sell. Commission paid   by our travel partners currently ranges from 8%, right up to 25%.

• Licenses and memberships: We are an Atol holder and are Abta bonded, giving full financial protection to your customers.

• Training and support: Our New To Travel programme includes three weeks of training, plus a year of mentoring. Our Experienced in Travel programme includes two days’ training. Our Returning to Travel programme includes one week of training. Then, we offer weekly training sessions along with conferences and educational trips. Monthly fees cover marketing support ranging from e-shots, and studio design work to magazine distribution on your behalf. We take care of our agents’ admin so they can focus on selling. All Franchisees have access to a mentor and business development support to help make their business as successful as possible.

• Sustainability & DEI: As a brand, we have partnered with the charity Special Effects which supplie individuals with specific needs with the equipment they need. We are also helping our Franchisees to support their own local charities and causes. This year we are targeting to deliver over £5k in funding to help support local people in our members’ areas and bring in equipment for people with additional needs. At our head office in Ipswich we’re taking steps to reduce our impact through better recycling, and we have policies in place around our business travel. We’ve also organised talks for our franchisees from external sustainability experts. 

• Technology: All Franchisees have a personalised page on our website detailing their expertise, with an enquiry form. We have a fantastic quote system that helps quotes come to life for clients.

• More about GoCruise & Travel: GoCruise & Travel is a proud member of the Fred. Olsen Travel Group and was originally established 15 years ago. Today, we have 61 individual franchise business owners who sell cruises and holidays to their customers. Since the beginning, the focus has been on cruise and holiday specialisms, with an extensive range of options available through our trade partners. We have a flexible model, and welcome franchisees with a broad mix of experience, whether they are entirely new to travel, or have some travel trade experience, or an existing agent looking to set up their own business, or those looking to open a high street store. GoCruise & Travel has been through an exciting period of change and growth, and in the last year, more of our franchisees passed the “one million mark” than ever before, with 11 attaining that status. We hope to recruit positive, determined and like-minded franchisee members, who put their customers at the heart of everything they do and are focused on building a successful business, with the guidance and leadership from us as the franchisor. We truly believe that success comes to those who work for it!