Posted 17 July 2015
Travel Counsellors is celebrating after being named in The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 at the weekend. The independent travel company has been placed 174th in the list which ranks Britain’s mid-market private companies with the fastest-growing international sales. This is the third time the company has received this accolade, after also appearing on the list in 2011 and 2012.
The company, which now has over 850 Travel Counsellors running their own businesses from home across the UK and a further 550 in its overseas operations in Ireland, the Netherlands, South Africa, Australia, the UAE and its most recent expansion into Belgium, has experienced a growth of 180% since it first overseas launch in 2005. The company’s global sales for the financial year end (31 October 2014) were £416m, of which 30% is now generated outside of the UK.
Managing Director Steve Byrne comments; “We are thrilled to have been recognised in the list for a third time as it reflects our continued successful growth internationally alongside the commitment of all of our people.We believe and have proved that there is a need for sincere and trusted advisers that place customer care at the centre of their businesses, which is why our model has really been embraced by the international markets we have expanded into. Our travel counsellors and staff deserve the recognition and accolades for being fantastic at what they do.”
The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table ranks companies' international sales growth over the latest two years of available accounts, with minimum sales of £25m. This accolade follows Travel Counsellors being awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2014, the UK’s highest accolade for business success, in recognition of the company’s continued growth and overseas expansion.
Byrne adds; “Our continued growth overseas shows we have a proven business model, providing our travel counsellors with the very best support, tools and technology to deliver the highest level of service to their customers. Our international presence also benefits our agents and their customers by building on our global buying power, local knowledge and enabling true 24/7 support. As a result we have almost 70% repeat business and a world-beating 96% customer satisfaction score*, meaning we can offer a secure, safe and extremely promising future to those looking to build a business with the company."
