Travel Counsellors PLC, the UK’s fastest growing independent travel agency, is predicting an increase in flight-only sales for 2005 following a systems deal with Comtec.
The independent travel agency, which operates a network of over 450 home-based travel consultants nationwide, is aiming to grow its £20million flight-only business by slashing the time its agents spend searching for airfares and making bookings.

Comtec, the retail travel industry’s leading software provider, is integrating its Flights Booking Engine into Travel Counsellors’ intranet, providing one point of access for agents to source and sell millions of charter, published and low-cost airfares. The breakthrough will make it much quicker for Travel Counsellors’ consultants to find the best deals for their clients.

Malcolm Hingley, Travel Counsellors’ sales director said: “At Travel Counsellors we are way ahead of other agencies in how we harness technology to benefit our agents and customers.Ê Comtec’s solution enables our agents to respond to customers far more quickly than our competitors can, while at the same time delivering the necessary variety of flight information in order for them to offer the best times, routes and fares.

“In a competitive market companies need a competitive edge. We’re responding to that pressure and ensuring Travel Counsellors retains its market advantage. Comtec’s technology is set to help us grow our air sales dramatically, and having the best technology gives new recruits another reason to join us.”

Travel Counsellors’ flight bookings will be downloaded directly into their agency management system TravelCat, the market leading system, also provided by Comtec.

Richard Turner, Comtec sales director added: “Comtec’s solutions are developed to help agents operate more effectively in today’s fast-changing market. This win with Travel Counsellors, a dramatically expanding brand, is highly significant for us.

“We boast more knowledge, resource and experience than any other company in our sector, which puts us in the strongest position to recognise the issues agents face and to develop systems that address their needs.”

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