Independent travel firm offers out-of-work Monarch staff a lifeline

Manchester-based independent travel company Travel Counsellors is aiming to recruit some of the 460 Monarch staff who have been made redundant following the collapse of the airline.

The firm is hosting an open day today between 10am and 2pm at its head office near the Trafford Centre.

It says the session will offer impartial advice and guidance about where and how to look for new opportunities in the travel industry as well as offering practical support around CV preparation and interview skills.

Travel Counsellors’ head office team, led by managing director Kirsten Hughes, will also be on hand to discuss opportunities as part of the support team, as well as the opportunity of running their own travel business as a travel counsellor.

The business has grown rapidly in recent years, and now oversees a network of over 1,700 franchisees across seven countries, including over 1,000 in the UK.

Manchester Airport was one of five UK hubs for Monarch Group, and with at least 500 Greater Manchester-based staff thought to be affected, Travel Counsellors is aiming to assist and advise as many as possible with their next career move.

In the 48 hours since Monarch went into administration, Travel Counsellors has also assisted over 2,000 customers who had advanced bookings with Monarch.

Most of the bookings were already dealt with by midday on Monday, thanks to the support of a crisis response team who worked through Sunday night to support its Travel Counsellors and their affected customers.

In addition, Travel Counsellors has set up a dedicated Freephone number and e-mail address for any travellers affected by the Monarch collapse, offering free, impartial advice and clarity to those confused about how their holiday is protected.

Hughes said: “Following the collapse of Monarch Group, our priority has been to ensure customers, both in resort and due to travel, have been kept fully informed as the situation develops.

“However, we are now also turning our attention towards supporting former Monarch employees who have been affected by the group’s collapse.

“We have a genuine passion for the industry and its people, and we want to ensure dedicated and knowledgeable staff who have been fantastic assets to Monarch in recent years remain in the travel industry.

“We’re keen to highlight the opportunity of taking control of your own career and building a business as a travel counsellor.

“Our travel counsellors come from a variety of backgrounds but all have the desire and passion for providing a highly personal service, placing the care for the customer at the heart of what we do.”