Jet2holidays has added more money to the prize fund in its Dragon’ Den-style competition to help agents set up of the high street.
Jet2holidays announced the Scale Up Your Street campaign in March and said it would support up to 10 travel agent partners with a substantial financial contribution of up to £100,000 in total, as well as access to expert advice, to get a new retail shop up and running.
Agents had to submit a written pitch outlining their vision by 30 April 2025.
After receiving hundreds of submissions from agency partners across the UK, judges reviewed them all based on creativity, feasibility, and potential for success. In response to the quality of pitches, Jet2holidays has upped the funding pot and shortlisted 12 candidates.
The 12 have been invited to pitch their ideas in person to a panel of industry experts at Jet2holidays’ Holiday House offices in Leeds on 11 June and the potential prize fund has now been increased to £120,000.
On the judging panel are Director of Travel Agent Relationships Alan Cross, General Manager Trade Sales Lloyd Cross, Seaside Travel owner and Director Nicola Park and Don Bircham and franchise owner of Hays Travel Mold.
Each panellist will have their own pot of cash provided by Jet2holidays and each agent must persuade them how much to contribute towards their new business venture.
Successful candidates from the final pitch will be announced once their new high street travel agency is ready to officially open, and all commercial arrangements are completed.
As well as a financial contribution, winners of Scale Up Your Street will also receive tailored training and support to help them open their shop and drive footfall, as well as ongoing access to insights and mentorship from industry experts.
Alan said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has engaged with Scale Up Your Street and submitted their ideas. The submissions have been truly fantastic, which is why we have increased the amount of funding on offer and invited even more agency partners to pitch their ideas. Scale Up Your Street has been an unbelievable success to date, and we cannot wait to meet the finalists and hear their brilliant ideas.
“We are really helping independent travel agency partners grow and succeed through this innovative campaign, and we look forward to helping agents open up their new shops and make them a huge success.”
