Welsh independent agency Travel House is to open its 16th branch next week, its second new store this month.
The latest new shop, in a former TUI store in Cwmbran, will open on 24 July.
Head of Retail Leanne Williams said long-established Travel House plans to have 20 shops in South Wales within the next 18 months.
“We also opened Penarth on 1 July this year, making it two new branches in a month,” she said.
“Expansion plans will continue into 2024 as we look to plug the gaps in South Wales which are missing an independent travel agency and our aim is to get to 20 stores by the end of 2024.
“It’s fair to say we like a challenge.”
Leanne said before opening a store in a new area she spends time there to ‘scope out the footfall’.
“Cwmbran is a thriving town which had two TUI branches and a Hays Travel shop,” she added. “The TUI branches have now combined into a new location, so we agreed a deal to take over one of their former stores.”
Travel House has lined up three staff to work in the Cwmbran branch but wants to recruit at least two more and an apprentice.
Around half of Travel House’s shops currently have an apprentice, she added.
“We’re looking to recruit apprentices because they are the future of the business. Five of our Branch Managers started as apprentices with us.”
She added that the Cwmbran branch will sell ‘everything’, including short-haul and long-haul holidays, ski, cruise, coach trips and city breaks.
The first Travel House launched in Brynhyfryd, Swansea, in 1992.
Pictured (from left) Sales Consultant Sue Price, Branch Manager Kelly Williams, Head of Retail Leanne Williams and Assistant Manager Sharon Probert at the Pontypridd shop opening in 2022.