The consortium’s independent travel agent members posted total sales up 27% year-on-year for the period 28 January through 31 May, while passenger numbers are up 35%.

“We attribute these positive results to strong sales of long-haul holidays, a sector that accounts for 43% of business for our members,” said Alison Holmes, head of the consortium. “The long-haul market has remained extremely resilient, despite the current climate of uncertainty.”

It comes after the group, which has 70 members across the UK, held two regional roadshows welcoming its 14 new agent members who signed up over the past 12 months, five of whom joined this year.

These include Jetz Travel in Leigh, Stonehouse Travel in Barnsley, Connoisseur Travel Services in Edinburgh, Travel Finesse in Bedworth, and Leeds’ Book It List Travel.

Holmes updated members on sales performance, new initiatives being trialled for members, marketing developments and new technology, including trials of front and back office management tool vTarsc and feedback on the consortium’s direct debit scheme.

Holmes added the consortium would host its next conference in April 2020, with details of exact dates and international host to follow at a later date.