Australian home based travel agency network Travel Counsellors, has reported that it will exit the Australian market, with its agents to become part of the Express Travel Group, with Travel Counsellors and Express Travel Group having held extensive talks to ensure that individual Travel Counsellors will be fully supported to continue running their corporate and leisure travel businesses and the transition taking place on 1 February 2021, with plans to launch a new brand under the ETG umbrella in 2021.
Travel Counsellors CEO Steve Byrne Travel Counsellors support team based in Melbourne will transfer to Express Travel Group to oversee the transition in an advisory role, with regional MD Kaylene Shuttlewood along with a number of the Melbourne-based Travel Counsellors support team, based in Melbourne, transferring to Express Travel Group, which is headquartered in Melbourne, with offices in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth to support what will be then former Travel Counsellors members.
A consultation process will begin for all Travel Counsellors Australia support team members, with a dedicated programme of support which focuses on wellbeing, finances and future career development.
Travel Counsellors CEO, Steve Byrne said “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, which has a long-established history in Australia since 1983, adding, “Since the start of the pandemic, Travel Counsellors has been quick to react and adapt both financially and operationally, with the company embarking on a package of measures to support our long-term strategy and future growth, which has led to this transition decision.
He added, “As such, we have taken great care to source the right business partner for our people, and in doing so have found Express Travel Group share our core values, which are based on showing care, providing personal service to customers, and feature a strong organisational culture centred around putting people at the heart of everything they do,” and , “Throughout this period we will support our colleagues and provide a safe, guided process for Travel Counsellors transitioning their franchise where they can look forward to a bright future as part of the Express Travel Group network, continuing to grow their businesses and deliver outstanding levels of customer care.”
He also said, “We have taken the time to make sure that we have the team in place to support each and every individual whenever they need us.”
Express Travel Group CEO, Tom Manwaring said, “Express Travel Group has 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 Express Travel Group family, with the care and attention Travel Counsellors show to their customers means that they are a natural fit for our community here in Australia.”
He added, “We look forward to working closely with Travel Counsellors Regional Managing Director Kaylene Shuttlewood, and CEO Steve Byrne, through this period to deliver a seamless transition experience for everyone involved”, and “ETG, through Express Tickets, continues to expand our market leading independent travel agent offering, aligned with this we will also be providing a new division for our mobile members powered by Express Tickets, and Aeronology NDC capable technology, with more to come.”
A report by John Alwyn-Jones
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