Travel Counsellors, the UK’s largest and fast-growing technology platform for travel entrepreneurs, has launched a scholarship programme for budding travel entrepreneurs in Wales.

Travel and tourism graduates from local universities and colleges - including those that have left full-time education within the last five years, and those that have less than five years of work experience - are being given the unique opportunity to start their own travel business with Travel Counsellors.

Empowered by a unique digitally enabled platform, and a supportive global community network, Travel Counsellors equips new business owners with the skills, training, and tools to enable them to scale on their own terms, and become trusted travel advisors.

For the chance to win a place on the Travel Counsellors Academy programme and an individual grant of £10,000, applicants will need to submit a business plan, which will be reviewed by the Travel Counsellors recruitment team, after which successful applicants will be invited to take part in a pitch session in front of a panel of industry experts.

Applications are open now via the Travel Counsellors website and will close on 30th April 2024.

Pitch sessions will take place at the support team centre in Manchester in May, with a view to getting their business set up from July.

According to the survey of UK-wide graduates, commissioned by Travel Counsellors, the two most important priorities for new graduates when considering their future career is flexibility and work-life balance and strong earning potential.

For 15% of new graduates, being able to make a positive difference and impact on people and communities is a key consideration in a future career.

Matt Harding, Director of Franchise Sales at Travel Counsellors, commented: “We are thrilled to offer aspiring young entrepreneurs in Wales the opportunity to start their own travel business.

“There is a wealth of talent in the region, with some fantastic local travel and tourism courses.

“We’re committed to attracting the next generation of business owners, and look forward to welcoming applicants and reviewing their travel business pitches.”

Karina Bawler, travel counsellor based in Cardiff gives insight into their own career journey: “Before becoming a Travel Counsellor I taught Geography for 14 years.

“I have a lifelong passion for travel and for years I immersed myself in anything travel related, gazing at travel brochures, reading journals and researching up-and-coming destinations. Now I get to do this for my customers, which is why I love my job!”