Emily Trumble decided to set up Encore Travel after working for a number of other travel businesses, including Best at Travel.
Her first hurdle was trying to find the right consortium. “I did a lot of research and it’s hard. A lot of companies out there sound like they’re giving you a great deal when really they’re taking all [your] commission,” Trumble told TTG.
She eventually settled on the Travel Trust Association.
“They were amazing from day one. They talked me through everything.”
Trumble said she had been planning to launch her own company since quitting her most recent job at online travel agency Ocean Florida in May.
Encore Travel officially opened in November, in time for the upcoming peak-selling season.
Trumble, who is funding the business from her own savings, is initially aiming to sell all kinds of holidays, but is hoping to focus on cruise. “My passion is cruising. In the future I’d like Encore to specialise in tailor-made cruising but at the moment, in a new company, you can’t turn anything away,” she said.
She added: “I want to share the experiences I’ve had personally with my customers.”
Encore Travel has eschewed the traditional high street premises in favour of an office in the garden of Trumble’s family house in Chelmsford, Essex.
“I’m not sure about the whole shop front thing only because I have done it working with Thomas Cook,” she said.
“As long as you’ve got a good rapport with someone, speaking over the phone really does work.”
Rather than relying on foot traffic, Trumble is hoping that a strong web and social media presence will help drive bookings, although customers will not be able to book through the site.
“I wanted the website to be the face of Encore. On the website you’re able to enquire either by phone or you can fill out a form and email us,” she said.
“We want everybody to contact us and get our personal experience. We can’t compete with people like Expedia and On The Beach; I think a bookable website is out of the question,” she added.
