Remote luxury travel network Savenio is doubling down on culture, fit, and loyalty in a year that saw it grow to 50 members and transaction values soar to new heights.

The last financial year saw the network’s total transaction value (TTV) surge by 20%, a milestone Managing Director David Brandon described as “an incredible achievement by our network of outstanding luxury travel advisors”.

Already, the next financial year looks set to surpass that growth rate, with the network embarking on the next phase in its journey with the “right people” in place.

Speaking to LATTE at the Savenio Symposium at the InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef Resort earlier this week, Brandon explained that a change of contract at the middle of the year had seen five agents depart. But those exits had been outweighed by network growth with the group adding eight new members.

The “uproar” caused by the changes had an added benefit, according to Brandon. “I wanted to find out who was loyal,” he said.

The rethink of its model followed a significant slashing of monthly consultant fees during the pandemic when the industry ground to a halt. The move was aimed at keeping the community afloat.

But as business gradually came back, eventually rebounding to pre-pandemic levels, it became clear that an adjustment was once again required. “Turnover went up hugely,” Brandon said. “Now it’s starting to stable out, but it’s still a lot, lot higher than what it was beforehand.”

Now, looking ahead, Brandon is confident that Savenio is poised for continued growth. “I think it’s going to be a stable market now for the next few years,” he predicted.

Founded as a pivot away from traditional agency models, then gathering force from 2017, Savenio has grown into an industry force by championing community over scale. “We’re not a numbers game,” Brandon stressed. “It’s about the right people.”

That philosophy now defines how Savenio recruits, with Brandon personally conducting every interview. “They’ve got to be community-minded,” he said of what he looks for in new members. “I ask so many questions to find out whether they’re the right fit.”

It’s not about turnover either. If Brandon sees potential in an advisor, he will ensure they get the right training to get them to where they need to be, he explained.

This approach has created a network of faithful advisors, many of whom have been there for more than 10 years, thanks also to the minimal overheads involved and the flexibility of the home-based model.

“All you need is a computer and knowledge,” Brandon said. “And there’s a few here into their 70s and 80s, still doing it.”

While Saveno is affiliated with both Virtuoso and Magellan, giving advisors access to a broad mix of luxury and mainstream travel offerings, Brandon believes it’s the independence and boutique feel that keep agents engaged.

Perhaps the most telling sign of Saveno’s cultural pull came recently with the return of long-time advisor Donna Phillips, who had previously left the network to explore other opportunities.

“I think it’s the community we have, and what we offer,” he reflected. “People realise what they’ve lost.”

Now, moving into this next chapter which will see the Savenio Symposium head overseas for the first time to Auckland in 2026, Brandon stresses the network isn’t chasing scale.

“There’s not many else out there doing what we’re doing,” he said. “So there’s no real target. Just the right people.”