When Genevieve Sheehan founded the Ireland-based Sheenco Travel in 2012, her intention was to become a leading expert in luxury vacations, booking trips for clients at exclusive four- and five-star properties throughout Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. By Jessica Petrucelli
When Genevieve Sheehan founded the Ireland-based Sheenco Travel in 2012, her intention was to become a leading expert in luxury vacations, booking trips for clients at exclusive four- and five-star properties throughout Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales.
Despite launching in the midst of a recession, her concept was a success, as she scheduled overnight getaways at beautiful castle accommodations from her office headquarters in County Cork. But after several years in business, Sheehan realized she needed a presence in the United States and opted to franchise her business. The Sheenco Travel Franchise was launched in 2021.
“Having started a business in a recession, when else would you expand but in a pandemic?” she said, laughing. “We are very unique in the franchising world because we are headquartered so far away from our primary market. But our franchisees will serve as the connection to our clients, and when our guests arrive here, we will do the rest.”
Calling her team “luxury travel specialists,” Sheehan said her friendly staff goes above and beyond to make sure every vacationer gets an opulent trip. Sheenco offers chauffeur-driven tours that feature a number of castle stops. Her staff performs site visits regularly to make sure the hotels and castles she recommends measure up. In her new role as franchisor, she is searching for American-based potential business owners to join the Sheenco family and spread the word about her company’s unique services.
“Our franchisees will be responsible for booking guests in our software system and helping to customize these great trips,” Sheehan said. “We will offer the training on how to do that, and from point of sale onwards, our team in Ireland will do the rest.”
According to Sheehan, the timing is right to join the luxury travel business. “People are eager to go on vacation once again, and they are sparing no expense. We have a great reputation in this industry, and franchisees will benefit from that if they invest in our brand,” Sheehan said.
Jessica Petrucelli