Speaking to TTG at Barrhead Travel’s annual conference in Majorca on Thursday (5 October), Brilliant Travel director Linda Pyle said Brilliant Travel membership had grown by 33% over the past 10 months, with its roster of managed service partners increasing by 21%.

"I would like to see another 33% next year," she told TTG. "But it has to be the right mix for the business."

Her remarks echoed those of John Lovell, president of Barrhead’s parent company Travel Leaders Group, who previously told TTG he was expecting the wider group’s homeworking division to grow between 33% and 45% within the next five years. 

“Organisationally, I see 33% to 45% additional homeworkers than we currently have today,” he said.

According to Pyle, Brilliant Travel’s aim is not to become the biggest homeworking agency in the country but to “be the best’’, making sure all of its members have viable businesses.

Brilliant Travel is not the only division within Barrhead eyeing expansion; president Jacqueline Dobson told agents on Wednesday (4 October) the company was looking to continue its high street growth.

However, speaking to TTG, Dobson said she didn’t have a number in mind for additions to its retail network, or the total size of that network, stressing the expansion would continue towards whatever number feels right.

Dobson also reiterated hers and Barrhead’s resolve to continue lobbying government to support Britain’s high streets and bring customers back to the high street.

Speaking at the conference, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays chief executive Steve Heapy pledged his and the airline and operator’s support for high street agents, and said towns and cities needed more funding to help them thrive.