Boosting corporate travel sales and encouraging co-operation among individual members were also on the agenda at Travel Counsellors’ UK roadshows.
Chief executive Steve Byrne identified further growth areas for delegates, including business travel and the opportunity for Travel Counsellors to flex the business model, such as employing assistant staff or utilising the skills of others in the Travel Counsellors community.
“We’re encouraging individual Travel Counsellors to take advantage of a business model that connects a global community of informed customers with expert, caring travel advisors,” he said.
“Whether that’s employing assistance from inside or outside of the business, or running a travel agency as part of the Travel Counsellors brand.”
Byrne added that leisure Travel Counsellors could take advantage of the corporate travel opportunity with dedicated coaching resources to support the management of small business travel accounts.
“There’s huge potential for Travel Counsellors for Business in the corporate travel market, particularly for SMEs, who require a highly personal, concierge-style service.”
The brand achieved sales totalling £600 million last year.
Travel Counsellors’ head of marketing Nyree Trimbel also highlighted latest booking trends and told members 63% of customers said they are “always thinking about their next trip”.