Travellers Choice has announced a $3.11 million pre-tax profit for 2025/26, with $2.85 million of that profit to be returned directly to member shareholders.
The figure will be a record annual rebate* for the award-winning group.
Managing Director Christian Hunter says the result represents an “exceptional performance” given the disruption caused during the second half of the financial year by the Middle East conflict.
“Australians remained typically resilient and determined to travel, which is why we have not experienced, at this point, a significant level of cancellations in response to the Middle East conflict,” said Mr Hunter.
“Nevertheless, revenue was impacted as customers re-evaluated departure dates, routes and destinations.
“This was offset, however, by the revenue growth that has flowed from the steady expansion of our national network, which has welcomed around 24 new members over the past two years.”
Mr Hunter said the 2025/26 profit – a 54% increase on the previous financial year – was also achieved despite investment in the development of valuable new member services.
These include an innovative professional development program for future agency leaders and an exclusive business intelligence tool that enables agency owners to generate unprecedented sales data analysis and insights.
“Our strong financial performance ensures we will continue to invest, with a strong focus on harnessing technological change,” he added.
“That includes the development and roll-out of our pioneering AI initiative, which will give Travellers Choice members the ability to quickly search live preferred product databases and automatically curate customer itineraries, saving time and freeing agents up to focus on what they do best, selling travel.”
Looking ahead, Mr Hunter says the market will remain unstable until the Middle East conflict is resolved.
“Despite some customers choosing to push back their travel dates in response to this volatile geopolitical environment, the post-pandemic trend for Australians to treat travel as an essential item appears to be holding up.
“As a result, while we have noted a softening of departures for the first half of 2026/27, our overall forward sales remain strong.”
Mr Hunter added that Travellers Choice is also confident its national network will continue to expand during the current financial year.
“Thanks to our quality support services and outstanding financial returns, our value proposition has never been stronger, which is why we are continuing to attract high-calibre independent travel agents.”
Travellers Choice member shareholders will meet in Perth in late November for the Company’s Annual General Meeting, which will immediately precede the network’s 2026 Conference.
Themed ‘Heart & Hustle’, the three-day event will include a host of keynote speakers, breakout sessions and networking opportunities.
Delegates will also have the chance to explore a Preferred Supplier Exhibition and celebrate the group’s top performers at the Travellers Choice National Awards Gala Dinner.
Main image: Christian Hunter (left) with Trent Bartlett, Travellers Choice Chair
* Travellers Choice member shareholders will receive an unfranked dividend of 6% on issued capital (30 cents per share) in addition to trading rebates based on their sales support for preferred partners.
