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"We only back exceptional high-growth technology-enabled businesses with stable, proven leadership teams"
Our story
From our roots in the North West of England to an international travel business, our story is one of incredible growth and success. And we’d love you to be part of our next chapter.
From day one we’ve followed a pioneering model
From our roots in the North West of England to an international travel business, our story is one of incredible growth and success.
We were founded in 1994 by David Speakman, who anticipated the shift towards travel professionals running their own leisure or corporate travel businesses from home.
David's pioneering model meant franchisees could provide their customers with an unrivalled level of personal care and attention when creating bespoke travel experiences.
Our entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to offering a truly personalised travel service, underpinned by the values of trust and customer intimacy, remain as true today as they did back then. As we approach 2,000 colleagues in six different countries, these principles continue to guide us to new heights.
Expansion follows
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1999
We welcome our 100th Travel Counsellor to the family.
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2003
We were the first travel company to win the Queen's Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category which recognises businesses that demonstrate commercially successful and innovative services.
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2004
We launched our own unique financial trust in the UK, to ensure our customers' money is 100% safe when booking with us, no matter what.
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2005
Travel Counsellors continues to expand and services launch in Ireland and the Netherlands.
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2006
Our bespoke-built, in-house booking platform, Phenix, is launched, enabling our Travel Counsellors to create tailor-made travel itineraries.
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2007
As our success continued, we expanded to South Africa, taking our bespoke services global.
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2008
We hit a key milestone as our 1,000th Travel Counsellor joined the company.
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2011
Travel Counsellors is highlighted as a key mid-size company in the UK’s economic recovery following the recession and is named in the Telegraph list of Britain’s 1,000 Brightest Businesses.
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2012- 2013
Our global expansion continues as we expand into the UAE and again in 2013 when we opened our doors in Belgium.
A new chapter
2014
Our 20th year celebrations are marked by a significant financial investment in our future from private equity firm, Equistone Partners Europe.
2015
Travel Counsellors headquarters move from its birthplace in Bolton to a stunning new R38 million premises at Trafford City in Manchester.
2016
We recruit the 300th member of our global support team, as our business continues to scale and grow.
2017
The myTC app is launched. With a 4+ star rating on the Apple and Android store, over 15,000 users a year enjoy the paperless experience of having their travel documentation all in one app, and connecting to their Travel Counsellor at the tap of a button.
It’s nice when our excellence is recognised
We have a world-leading customer satisfaction rating of 96% with a growing collection of accolades and travel industry endorsements.
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The Association of Southern African Travel Agents (ASATA)
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International Air Transport Association member
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Representative body for Travel Management Companies member
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Sunday Times International Track 250, 2019
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Best National Travel Retailer | British Travel Awards 2019
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Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards' Best Homeworking Agency, 2019
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Winner: Amazon Growing Business of the Year 2018
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Sunday Times Top Track 250, 2020
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Best National Travel Retailer | British Travel Awards 2020
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Luxury Homeworking Business of the Year | TTG Luxury Awards 2023
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Top Luxury Agency, Top Business Travel Agency | TTG Top 50 2024
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Best TMC | The Business Travel Awards 2020
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Queens Award for International Trade 2020
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TTG Luxury Homeworking Business of the Year 2022
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Why choose a career with Travel Counsellors?
We aim to enable Travel Counsellors to work from home whilst delivering best-in-class service focusing solely on the customer's pleasure and convenience. Whether you are a current travel professional and want to become a Leisure Travel Counsellor, a Business Development Travel Counsellor or are looking to get back into the Travel Industry after some time away, we can help you get there.Join our growing Travel Counsellors team
Take control of your travel career and get in touch today. We’re here to answer your questions and help you start your Travel Counsellors journey. Unlock the freedom, flexibility, and backing you need to thrive in the travel industry.