Laid-Off Corp Travel Agents Become Consultants: Will Clients Follow?
Skift Take
If downsizing is a natural correction to the peaks prior to coronavirus, so-called micro agencies are the logical next phase in the travel management cycle.
As governments call time on coronavirus and wind down financial aid for furloughed workers, the jobs market is set to become flooded with corporate travel consultants and account managers.
As a result, industry observers predict a new type of so-called "micro agency" will appear — independent consultancies formed by laid-off corporate travel agency staff. They'll embrace the work-from-home model, be well connected, and well placed to cater to those corporates downsizing their own travel programs.
"Micro agencies would be able to choose from a whole pool of talented staff to create their dream team," said Judith Heinrich, managing director at Travelicity Consulting. "As long as they can offer relevant duty of care and technology products, there are no obstacles for this to move forward, especially since the independent consultant model is popular in the U.S."
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In the travel industry, relationships count, and many will have been cemented or strained during the crisis. "Small and medium companies in the first instance have a relationship with their dedicated agent, and not necessarily with the travel management company they work for," Heinrich added. "Moving forward, having personal contact that you can trust and the reassurance to be able to