Freedom Travel Group and Co-operative Personal Travel Advisors (CPTA) have reported a 4% increase in revenue to £250 million as it welcomed 30 new members in 2016.
The consortium and homeworking network, which is part of Thomas Cook, has seen 21 homeworkers join CPTA, while Freedom has seen nine new travel agency businesses join in the last year. The total membership stands at 268.
Three CPTA members have moved to Freedom on the back of huge growth in their businesses.
Financial director commercial operations at Thomas Cook Group, Paul Hemingway, said the group had had an “excellent year against a backdrop of difficulties” for the industry and is targeting up to 40 more new members in 2017.
Addressing members at its annual conference at Club Med’s Opio en Provence resort near Cannes on Monday, he said average selling prices were up 5% and customers were booking earlier.
Sales for Disneyland Paris had increased by 18%, while cruise sales were also up 7% across the group.
Commenting on the joint venture with Thomas Cook, which is in its fifth year, Hemingway sought to reassure members.
“Whatever the outcome it doesn’t change anything in these businesses,” he said. “We will continue to grow and work with you to grow.”
Hemingway warned the industry “must remain vigilant when it comes to fraud” and said a compliance team had been set up to spot “unusual activity” early on.
The business has also appointed a new partnerships manager to co-ordinate all third party suppliers and upgraded its intranet for members.