Travel Counsellors announces the...

Company's first acquisition comes hot on the heels of record trading months in January and February

Travel technology platform Travel Counsellors has acquired Holidaysplease, a network of specialist travel advisors.

Holidaysplease features a community of 100 home-working travel experts, 50 franchisees and 50 employees, and shares Travel Counsellors’ people-led values and customer-first business model.

The acquisition will empower and connect nearly 2,000 travel professionals to run and scale their own businesses and provide an exceptional level of care to their customers by leveraging the digital platform and global community.

The move will also enable the Holidaysplease homeworker and franchisee communities to continue running their businesses, supported by its current directors, wider leadership team and support staff.

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The deal marks Travel Counsellors’ first acquisition in its near 30-year history and comes hot off the heels of record trading months in both January and February 2023 with a total of more than US$250 million of sales.

Commenting on the news, Travel Counsellors CEO Steve Byrne said: “We are delighted to have acquired such a highly regarded and successful business, finding a company that is both culturally and strategically aligned to our people led values and relentless focus on customer care.

“Both businesses share outstanding momentum having each delivered exceptional growth in 2022, as well as record-breaking performances in January 2023. I'm confident that this combination will only serve to strengthen both business’ momentum and offers a safe, secure and exciting future for all within the community.”

Travel Counsellors UAE general manager Holly McCann added: “This is really exciting news for all of us at Travel Counsellors and a further indication of the positive momentum in the business. The team and I look forward to welcoming everyone at Holidaysplease and to continuing to build a successful future in the industry that we love.”

The acquisition builds on the Travel Counsellors’ exceptional growth over recent periods highlighted by its record financial performance in 2022 when TTV on the Travel Counsellors platform increased to more than US$850 million, representing an increase of more than 300% against the prior year, and supporting the company’s momentum as it accelerates towards generating US$1bn+ of platform sales in fiscal year 2023.

For more information, visit people.travelcounsellors.com/ae