Following 52 successful years in business, Tom Mannion Travel recently decided to close its retail office in Ennis, Co Clare, and has now joined Travel Counsellors, led by Tom’s son, Gearoid Mannion.
Gearoid is building on the TMT legacy through Travel Counsellors, a company with a similar family ethos and a personal, caring approach. The franchisee support model is also a more cost-effective way of operating and enables customers to access a greater breadth of choice and the best deals available.
Gearoid said: “I am delighted to be part of Travel Counsellors and I am operating business as usual, but now with the additional benefits that this leading, global, independent travel company can offer myself and my loyal TMT customers. I now have cutting edge technology at my fingertips, a global presence in seven different markets, a 24/7 Duty Office providing real-life travel advice and information, and the support of Head Office in everything from admin to marketing and IT. But, most importantly, Travel Counsellors is based on the same family values and ethics as TMT, so customers have the best of both worlds when booking with me.”
The international company operates in Ireland and seven other markets across the globe: the UK, the Netherlands, South Africa, Australia, UAE, and, most recently, Belgium. Global sales for the financial year ended 31st October 2015 reached €526 million, with Ireland contributing €24 million. Currently 1,500 Travel Counsellors manage their own businesses internationally, and many travel professionals have joined Gearoid this year to become part of the Travel Counsellors community.
Cathy Burke, General Manager Ireland and Director of Global Business Development at Travel Counsellors, said: “We could not be happier to have Gearoid on board with us. He brings with him over four decades of travel experience, and a whole community of loyal business travel and leisure customers from Ennis and beyond. I know Gearoid can make his company an even greater success, providing his customers with unforgettable travel experiences and unbeatable, personal customer service.”
