Travel Counsellors Netherlands and Belgium expects double-digit growth for fiscal 2024. Revenue for 2023 amounted to 77 million euros, a solid plus of 16 percent. ‘It’s hard to predict exactly what it’s going to be this year. The market is erratic, although consumers are behaving more normally. We do see that customer spending is at a permanently higher level, but it’s not growth upon growth.’ This was stated by Milka van Dam (General Manager Travel Counsellors Netherlands & Belgium) and Fred van Eijk (Managing Director and founder Travel Counsellors Netherlands & Belgium) on Saturday during the 2024 conference of Travel Counsellors of both countries. The venue was hotel-restaurant Van der Valk Delft. The three-day conference, which had already started on Friday afternoon, broke all records. There were 150 affiliated Travel Counsellors present. Among them 6 from Belgium, where the counter now stands at a total of 25 affiliated Travel Counsellors. Not all of them could be present due to the Belgian Easter holidays. In addition, 60 partners of Travel Counsellors, 45 suppliers and 25 employees from the head office had come along. Due to the large turnout, the participants were accommodated in two hotels. The conference theme ‘The Future is Ours’ covers a wide range of topics, says Van Eijk. ‘In the future, more than ever, it’s about doing things together. This is not only about the Travel Counsellors themselves, but also with the suppliers and other business partners.’ Actress/writer Isa Hoes closed the Saturday afternoon with a personal story, including about her life without her husband and actor Antonie Kamerling. She wrote a book about this in 2013 called When I Saw You. She managed to silence the room. During the traditional gala evening, the Travel Counsellors awards were presented on Saturday. Prior to this, the Travel Counsellors who have been affiliated for ten and fifteen years respectively were called to the stage in two groups. Afterwards, Van Dam and Van Eijk presented the awards for best supplier and the best performing Travel Counsellors. These are the winners: Sunny Cars – Best Supplier Award Rob van Lieshout & Bram Beurskens – Business Travel Counsellor Award Marieke Verkerk – TC Groups & Incentives Award Caroline van Huigenbos – Customer Satisfaction Award Brigitte Verheijen – Best Newcomer Award Vivi Gijsendorffer – Business Development Award Hannelore Verschut – Highest Phenix Turnover Award Soon more backgrounds in TravMagazine. Photo: Milka van Dam and Fred van Eijk.
View a selection of photos here.
