Travel Counsellors, a U.K.-based host agency that expanded into the U.S. in 2006, quietly withdrew from the U.S. about a month ago after failing to attract a significant number of agents.
"We believe we offer something new to the U.S. market, but it is taking much longer than we expected to get the traction needed,” said Steve Byrne, managing director. "And the overall economic environment in the U.S. … remains challenging. We have therefore decided to focus our immediate efforts in North America on our business in Canada."
Byrne added: "When the overall economic environment improves and we believe the market is more conducive to our model, we will consider returning to the U.S. market."
He said Travel Counsellors’ affiliate numbers peaked at 50 in the U.S. But at the time it folded operations, it reportedly had only 20 or so affiliates, all of whom are now aligned with new hosts.
Travel Counsellors operated a franchise business and aimed to differentiate itself by offering proprietary travel packages sold exclusively through its home-based affiliates, who would use a proprietary booking system.
Hickory Travel Systems provided air ticketing services for Travel Counsellors agents. After Travel Counsellors U.K. shuttered the U.S. operation, Hickory hired the two-person staff.
Travel Counsellors continues to operate in the U.K. and five other countries.