VANCOUVER — The number of Expedia CruiseShipCenters vacation consultants has surpassed the 5,000 mark across North America.

Building on momentum in the retail travel industry, Expedia CruiseShipCenters President Matthew Eichhorst said the company is looking to add 1,400+ more new consultants by the end of this year.

“Through our personalized service and expert advice, we have been helping clients navigate through the overwhelming amount of travel options to choose the right vacation for their needs. The demand for service such as this continues to grow,” he said.

A study by American Express Spending and Saving Tracker shows that between 2015 and 2016, consumer use of travel agents was up nearly 80%. “As consumers continue to reap the benefits of using a travel agent, Expedia CruiseShipCenters is building on this momentum and looking to add more than 1,400 new Vacation Consultants by the end of 2017,” said Eichhorst.