TravelManagers reached a significant milestone signing up personal travel manager number 300 recently, further enhancing its reputation in the mobile consulting world with the biggest network of personal travel managers across Australia.

Lucky number 300 is Jean-Pierre Boutefeu (known as J-P) who says he was hugely attracted to mobile consulting after 12 years in an agency, the last five of those was spent managing two travel agency stores.

“Before I worked in travel I owned a couple of businesses, reflecting on what I wanted to do moving forward I realised the idea of being independent and in charge of my destiny was immensely appealing. Being a personal travel manager provides me with that exact outcome.”

Prior to travel J-P owned and managed his own restaurant in Melbourne for four years and has also worked in both the stockbroking and international banking sectors in Belgium.

“I love the travel industry. It has allowed me to meet so many amazing people throughout my career, including my customers and the industry partners I have worked with but I was becoming disillusioned.  I felt I was working harder and harder for less return due to external pressure, when all I wanted was to service my customers in an enjoyable and profitable environment. After doing my research I was drawn to TravelManagers for three reasons, the high commission offered, the strength and depth of their relationships and connections in the industry and their scale.”

Hugely successful, with both himself and his travel agency branches winning numerous awards, J-P says the opportunities with TravelManagers are massive.

“TravelManagers has just been a finalist for the third consecutive year at the National Travel Industry in the “Best Travel Agency Retail – Multi Location” category. In addition to that eight of its personal travel managers were recognized (five winners and three highly commended) at the Australian Travel Awards in March this year. There is no shortage of role models, back-up, support and opportunity here plus I will be working smarter not harder, these guys lead the way in the personal travel manager space and it’s hugely exciting to be part of their team.

“In addition to this I will now have a chance to truly service my customers and further develop my business without having the hassle of the administrative and HR issues that go with being a manager.”

TravelManagers National Business Partnership Manager, Michael Gazal says many successful individuals out there, like J-P, are feeling more than ever it’s time to make a step towards a more comfortable and highly rewarding lifestyle.

“We are now regularly getting calls and emails from people like J-P who are vastly experienced in not only travel but life. Managing and working in other businesses outside of travel all provide fantastic opportunities and build confidence. No one should underestimate this it is the perfect background for a personal travel manager.”

J-P says having his own business partnership manager is a major advantage; TravelManagers have four across Australia – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

“The structure at TravelManagers means I have a business partnership manager who is there to focus on my business, supporting, guiding and advising me. In addition to this the resources they provide and the way the entire personal travel managers network together, makes it such a strong approach. I’ve been made to feel incredibly welcome, it’s a great feeling – very rewarding.”