Liverpool entrepreneur Paul Harrison’s The Travel Franchise has won Best Lifestyle Franchise worldwide and Best European Franchise at the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Global Franchise Awards 2025.
With the milestone, the Bournemouth-based company has become one of the first UK companies to ever win two awards.
The firm was founded by Harrison and his business partner Steve Witt in 2001 as the duo looked to give people the opportunity to become home-based travel consultants.
Its journey began at Barclays Bank in Wavertree Technology Park and, less than three decades later, has grown to a point where it is picking up awards in Las Vegas.
Today, it is a multi-million-pound business, servicing more than 700 UK franchises and now has global recognition.
The IFA’s decision was based on numerous factors including the company’s business model, which empowers individuals to run their own successful travel businesses with maximum flexibility and support.
Speaking from the awards ceremony in Las Vegas, Paul Harrison said: “This award is a huge testament to the hard work of our incredible team and the amazing franchisees we’ve supported along the way.
“We’ve built a business that isn’t just about booking holidays – it’s about changing lives. Our franchisees get to work on their own terms, whether that’s full-time, part-time, or just in their spare time.
“Whether from the comfort of their living room or while working from a beach, they can create the lifestyle they’ve always wanted, and that’s what makes this so special.”
The business says its model has already helped countless franchisees earn £40,000 part-time and over £100,000 full-time, but says its gamechanger is its unique flexibility offerings.
Parents have the freedom to work around their children, others have found a new career after health setbacks, and many have escaped the grind of high-stress jobs in the emergency services.
The Travel Franchise includes two free trips in its most popular Elite franchise to a short haul and long haul location with the company hosting them in popular tourist spots ranging from Crete and the Canary Islands to the Caribbean and Mauritius.
The award-winning company also includes staff perks such as £500 every year to spend on further development, private health care and the ability to buy up to five days holiday to top up their annual allowance.