Jack Green opened Promenade Travel in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, in November and is looking for a second location after his venture exceeded targets.
“It’s performed much better than expected,” he said. “We started off with very small plans for turnover and sales because this is a relatively small town and there is some big competition.
Green, 24, opened the town’s only independent agency with family support.
He previously worked as a branch manager for Hays Travel and started his career in 2011 as a Thomas Cook apprentice.
Green admitted it had initially been hard to gain the town’s trust, with some clients keen to ask about the agency’s financial protection.
“It was a hurdle when we opened – a lot of customers were questioning it,” he admitted.
“But we’re members of the Midcounties Co-op and Abta and we have heavily promoted that. People trust the Co-op brand, even though we are way out of its area.”
Green believes the personal approach has paid dividends, with many customers now established repeat bookers.
“Recreating that personal feel is what has worked for us – spending time with customers to find out what they really want,” Green said.
“Also, things like selling National Express coach tickets have brought people in through the door and they are remembering us for the future when they make a bigger purchase.”
A second Promenade Travel outlet is planned in a nearby town “within the next six to nine months”, Green hopes.
Meanwhile, Green is appealing for experienced travel professionals to join him.
