Travel Counsellors reports record £933 million in sales

In a trading update for its 2023 financial year, Travel Counsellors reported sales growth of 23% year-on-year, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16% since pre-pandemic (with turnover in 2018-2019 at £520 million).

CEO Steve Byrne said the company had experienced “transformational growth” in the last 12 months, including 340 new Travel Counsellors joining the business and the acquisition of Holidaysplease in March 2023. 

UK leisure bookings grew by 22% year-on-year to hit £552m, while UK corporate bookings increased 24% to £209m. 

A focus on the premium leisure market has seen average booking value rise by around 10% to £4,903, while cruise revenue is up by 66% on last year. 

The company, which held its annual conference in Manchester this weekend (24-26 November) took a record 300,000 bookings during the year, and forward bookings for departures in 2024 stand at £350m, which the company said was 30% ahead of the same period last financial year.

CEO Steve Byrne said: "Our very strong performance once again demonstrates the strength of our differentiated, disruptive, and scalable business model as well as growing customer demand for our trusted and personal travel advice.

"We now work with a growing community of over 2,000 of the market’s most talented independent travel franchisees and I am delighted to say that the average sales growth by established travel counsellors increased by more than 20% year-on-year. This reflects the power of our technology platform, combined with our supportive community, which helps ambitious travel entrepreneurs to truly fulfil their potential."