The Travel Network Group has attracted increasing numbers of new members in the past 12 months.
A total of 174 have been signed up ahead of the group’s financial year-end on June 30, against 165 in the previous year.
May saw 14 new Travel Trust Association members added, making it the best month for successful applications since the same number was achieved in September 2012.
New members have joined the group’s four brands – Worldchoice, Worldchoice Plus, Travel Trust Association and Independent Travel Experts.
CEO Gary Lewis said: “Whilst the uncertainty of Brexit has led to a challenging year for the country and the industry, it certainly hasn’t dampened the ambitions of those wanting to enter the UK travel industry.
“We have invested in staging more recruitment activities across the country over the last 12 months, and this has clearly had a positive impact on the number of new members who have joined us.”
The most recent open day in Woking attracted a record number of attendees.
Lewis added: “What also has helped us attract new members is the high level of support and additional services that we are providing as part of their membership.
“From the cluster meetings, marketing seminars and open days we host, through to the new Training Service Academy recently established, existing and new members alike can really see the value we can add and that’s what is helping us grow the overall size and scale of our membership.”
He backed the findings of a recent Deloitte report which highlighted consumer demand for more off the beaten track experiences, with consumers intending to spend more across all leisure categories in the coming quarter.
“This trend plays into the hands of many of our members who have years of experience and know-how in offering customers tailored holidays with complex itineraries,” Lewis said.
The Deloitte report data also suggested consumers are favouring short breaks over longer holidays.
Lewis said: “We have recently staged two seminars in London and Birmingham on ‘How to Sell UK breaks’, highlighting to our members the opportunity to earn extra revenues in this growing market.
“The overall market is worth £1.5 billion and the industry currently only accounts for 20%. We believe the UK short breaks market offers great potential for our members.
“Our purpose is all about inspiring, growing and protecting our members and this is a key part of our recruitment proposition.”