World Travellers held their second AGM in June and their annual results continue to impress.  

“Year two of a brand new travel group and World Travellers is a proven concept. In an economy that has continued to add challenge after challenge our group has maintained growth and, more importantly, added real skills in terms of customer retention and acquisition prowess” says Graeme Moore in the introduction of this annual Chairman’s report.   

And the results back him up.  World Travellers annual group sales grew 5.3%, compared with an increase in NZ traveller departures of 4.4% (Dept of Statistics “Short-term NZ Resident Traveller Departures“ for the 12 months to end March12), and they achieved a net increase in store numbers of 36%, taking the group to its current 15 stores.    

Member stores’ marketing costs were reduced on average by 50%, and override earn increased an average of 15% across the group, not taking into account GDS rebates from new GDS partner Travelport which has s much as tripled the stores’ previous rebate earn.

Their combined customer marketing database has more than doubled, growing by a staggering 100.11%, and monthly web visits across all the World Travellers individual store websites grew an average of 57%.

They also launched World Travellers Mobile and currently have 2 Mobile Consultant operating with more on the way, as the 100% commission model appeals to both existing brokers and those considering a move out of street-front travel.

World Travellers Escorted Tours launched this year as well, with 5 successful departures and a further 6 planned for 2012.    The individual store tours are marketed and sold across the World Travellers cooperative network.  

General Manager, Wendy van Lieshout, finishes her AGM report with this comment: “It continues to amaze me, 2 years into this venture, how dedicated and true to their brand the World Travellers members remain. The brand sits very much at the quality and high service end of the market, and the members have continued to deliver this brand promise and live the World Travellers ethos in their individual stores.”

At the conclusion of his report, Graeme Moore adds, “The unique owner-driven collaborative culture will continue to define and refine the ever-strengthening World Travellers offering.”