EXCLUSIVE – Travel Counsellors members to migrate to new Express home-based network.
Travel Counsellors has confirmed that it will exit the Australian market, with its local franchisees to become part of the Express Travel Group (ETG) in early 2021.
The transition will be overseen by Travel Counsellors CEO Steve Byrne in an advisory role, while regional MD Kaylene Shuttlewood and a number of the Melbourne-based Travel Counsellors team will also transfer across to ETG to support members.
Byrne said since the start of the pandemic Travel Counsellors had been quick to react both financially and operationally, “embarking on a package of measures to support its long-term strategy and future growth, which has led to this transition decision”.
“Our aim in this has been to find an elegant and caring way forward for our people, and support as many of our franchisees as possible to transition their business to Express Travel Group,” he said.
Express Travel Group CEO Tom Manwaring said ETG had a “long and proud history of supporting and promoting independent agencies, so we are delighted to have formed this partnership with Travel Counsellors, and look forward to welcoming its business owners into the ETG family”.
He confirmed that Express would be providing a new division for its mobile members powered by Express Tickets and the Aeronology NDC-capable technology.
More details in today’s issue of Travel Daily.