Travellers Choice today unveiled a healthy $2.01 million pre-tax profit for 2024/25, achieved despite a significant investment in the expansion of its member support services over the past fiscal year.
Almost 90 per cent of the profit will now flow directly back to Travellers Choice member shareholders in the form of an unfranked dividend of 6% on issued capital (30 cents per share) and trading rebates based on sales support for preferred partners.
The 2024/25 result is down on Travellers Choice’s record pre-tax profit for 2023/24 – a result that included the receipt of commissions earned in previous financial years but delayed due to pandemic-related administrative issues.
Managing Director Christian Hunter says the result reflects a solid performance for the award-winning network.
“Our underlying profit is almost on par with our 2022/23 result, which is a notable achievement given that over the past 12 months we have aggressively invested in growing our member support services,” says Hunter.
“This includes the roll-out of our innovative agent training program, ProStart, which Travellers Choice funds in full, enabling our members to address the vital issue of recruitment and retention at no-cost to their businesses.
“In addition, we have bolstered our support teams and ramped up our consumer marketing activities to help drive business through members’ doors.”
Hunter says Travellers Choice is also yet to see the full impact on revenue of its steady network expansion, which has seen the group add new members across all states over the past year.
“Despite ongoing concerns about cost-of-living pressures and the potential threat of geopolitical instability, we are seeing no dampening of demand for international travel, with European sales performing particularly well. The arrival of new members will further drive the growth we are seeing in overall sales volumes.”
Hunter says Travellers Choice expects to continue to expand its national network during 2025/26.
“The financial benefits our members receive – in the form of dividends, sales incentives and at-source commissions – far exceed the average $3,000 per year they pay in membership fees.
“At the same time, they enjoy an extensive range of non-financial benefits in the form of unrivalled marketing and support services.
“Given this exceptional return on investment, we expect to maintain our current momentum by attracting more high-calibre independent travel agents to the Travellers Choice fold this year.”
Travellers Choice member shareholders will meet in Melbourne in late November for the Company’s Annual General Meeting, which will immediately precede the network’s 2025 Conference.
Themed ‘Nailing It,’ the three-day event will offer panel discussions, networking sessions and a range of keynote speakers, including Matt Alderton, one Australia’s most revered entrepreneurs, and Dr Amantha Imber, a behavioural science expert who works with companies such as Google, Apple and Disney.
Delegates will also explore a Preferred Supplier Exhibition and enjoy the Travellers Choice National Awards Gala Dinner.