Overseas agents are expected to account for half of all Travel Counsellors by 2011.
Managing director Steve Byrne said the company recruited 150 agents this year, bringing the total to more than 1,100. Of the new recruits, 80 are based in the UK.
Although overseas agents account for 35% of the total number of Travel Counsellors, it is hoped this will increase as the company plans to recruit 200 agents worldwide next year and 200 the year after.
The target comes as the company’s latest figures reveal UK Travel Counsellors have been harder hit by the global recession than their overseas colleagues.
Travel Counsellors achieved global sales for the year ending October 31 2009 of £255 million, 5% up on the previous year.
Its South African operation reported a 157% sales growth to £15 million.
In Australia, where there are 100 Travel Counsellors, there was a 120% sales growth to £21 million. UK revenues dropped 4% to £205 million as the recession hit. As the company is well established in the UK, large sales growths are unlikely.
However, Byrne welcomed the overall growth. “We have seen this impressive growth despite the economic downturn of the past 12 months. We expect this trend to continue and this figure to increase to £315 million for 2010 and £350 million for 2011.
“While the industry average has been about 20% down on sales, we have ridden the storm and proved that through hard work, positivity, focus and exceptional customer service, a company can still thrive in an economic downturn.
Much of the growth has been driven by sales in the second half of the year, with year-on-year sales up 24% in August, 22% in September, 24% in October, and 45%
in November.