Samantha

Jul 23, 2025

I joined The Travel Franchise in 2024…

I joined The Travel Franchise in 2024 after being sold a vision of flexibility, strong support, and the ability to build a successful business under the Not Just Travel brand. I invested a large amount of money for the Elite package and monthly fees up to November including management fees. Paid a deposit and then fees per month for the rest of the franchise fee. Unfortunately, my experience did not reflect what was promised during onboarding or in promotional material like the NJT Life Magazine. Here are the key issues I personally encountered: Commission Delays: I was told I would earn back my monthly fees through commission. What I wasn’t made aware of is that commission is only paid after the customer has travelled, which significantly impacts cash flow — especially for new franchisees. I initially wanted to stick with the Lite Package as it was more manageable after speaking to a Financial Adviser. I was then booked in to have another call with the Co-Founder, who persuaded me to go with the Elite Package. Had I have known that commission was paid 6 weeks after travel, then I wouldn't have signed up to the high amount per month management/franchise fee. It's a massive amount of money. Lack of Transparency: There is no clear breakdown of how much commission NJT retains, either in the contract or marketing materials. This made it difficult to understand my actual earning potential before signing. The Operations Manual isn't given to you prior to signing, but the contract references it on numerous occasions. Support Inconsistency: Despite raising concerns with my three Business Development Managers and NJT staff, I felt unsupported when it mattered most. My enquiries often went unanswered, even when I reached out repeatedly for help with partnerships (with big companies) and a couple of customer enquiries. Content Usage: Content I created and shared on my own platforms was reused by NJT without my consent or credit, despite my personal brand and voice being an important part of my marketing strategy. Community Divide: I also observed a clear divide between ‘high-performing’ franchisees and others during team events, which was demoralising and at odds with the “family” atmosphere I expected. I’ve now formally terminated (early based on advice) my franchise agreement, and I’m currently awaiting a full response, but I keep getting ignored. To be clear, I have met some wonderful people through this journey, and I believe some franchisees do genuinely thrive — but I also think it’s important for others to go into this with eyes wide open. Ask the hard questions. Get the full financial picture. And speak to existing franchisees privately before investing. This review is based on my personal experience only. — Samantha