The Travel Network Group reports strong year for new members
Brexit uncertainty has not dampened interest in entering the travel industry, according to the boss of The Travel Network Group.
The group’s CEO Gary Lewis said the group has attracted 174 new members already in this financial year, with over a week left to go.
In the last financial year, it attracted 165 new members to its Worldchoice, Worldchoice Plus, Travel Trust Association and Independent Travel Experts brands.
"Whilst the uncertainty of Brexit has led to a challenging year for the country and the industry, it certainly hasn’t dampened the ambitions of those wanting to enter the UK travel industry," he said.
"We have invested in staging more recruitment activities across the country over the last 12 months, and this has clearly had a positive impact on the number of new members who have joined us."
He said 14 new TTA members joined in May alone, the best month for successful applications since September 2012.
Lewis also welcomed the findings of a recent survey by Deloitte, ‘Experience is everything’, which revealed consumers are continuing to seek unique experiences rather than material things.
It found holidaymakers are also increasingly veering off the beaten track to seek unique experiences.
"This trend plays into the hands of many of our members who have years of experience and know-how in offering customers tailored holidays with complex itineraries," said Lewis, pictured above at the group’s latest conference.
In addition, the Deloitte report data suggests consumers are also favouring short breaks over longer holidays.
"We have recently staged two seminars in London and Birmingham on ‘How to Sell UK breaks’, highlighting to our members the opportunity to earn extra revenues in this growing market," said Lewis.
"The overall market is worth £1.5 billion and the industry currently only accounts for 20%. We believe the UK short breaks market offers great potential for our members."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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