The scheme – which will see agents become an extension of Carrier’s agency in Alderley Edge, Cheshire – is targeted at new homeworking businesses which are not yet part of a consortium.
The first affiliate partnership has been established with Travel by Abigail, owned by Abigail MacGowan.
Affiliate agents will become authorised agents of Carrier, giving them access to a “state-of-the-art” agency booking system, commercial agreements from the Advantage Travel Partnership and “full financial protection for her clients”. They will also be able to operate under Carrier’s bonding arrangements.
The partnership also gives affiliate agents preferred partner status with Carrier’s Didsbury-based tour operation, giving them access to enhanced sales support including over-branded marketing campaigns, fam trip opportunities and bespoke quote documentation.
The operator said it could “already see strong relationships forming” between MacGowan and the reservations team at Carrier’s head office.
Carrier added the affiliate programme came about following its recent conversations with new home-based agents and the key challenges they face.
Mark Duguid, managing director of Carrier, said: “As a trade focused brand, we are always keen to develop strong relationships with like-minded agents.
“This new model allows us to do this while simultaneously offering a great solution for the growing number of smaller home-based agents operating in the luxury sector.”
Carrier explained it was not targeting a specific number of agents for the programme, rather it was focusing on “finding the right agents to partner with”.
Agents interested in the scheme should contact Caroline Hutchinson, the manager of Carrier’s Alderley Edge agency.
Meanwhile, the operator has also announced that its annual agent appreciation and awards dinner will be held at the Natural History Museum on November 14, with around 110 guests expected to attend.
