Travel Counsellors smashed records in February for a second consecutive month, according to latest figures.
The company achieved £86.3 million in global sales and £67.9 million in UK sales, both up by 22% year-on-year.
The performance took overall sales figures from November 2022, the start of Travel Counsellors financial year, to £323.6 million.
Global holiday sales reached more than £200 million since the start of 2023, with passenger numbers up by 43%, compared with last year and 21% higher than in pre-pandemic 2019.
The company’s UK leisure (£50.6 million) and corporate (£17.3 million) businesses are performing 72% and 56% better than pre-Covid levels respectively.
Continued growth in bookings via in-house platform Phenix, enabling Travel Counsellor business owners to tailor-make and package itineraries for customers, has seen sales up by more than 40% this year compared to pre-pandemic levels,
Travel Counsellors in the leisure sector are attracting new customers 30% faster than in 2022 and 2019 levels, with 122 of them seeing their biggest ever month in terms of sales for February.
Customers are also enquiring about trips with a higher booking value, up by 13% on 2022 in the year to date.
While summer remains the main departure period, the company reported a shift towards next winter, which is performing 90% ahead of the same point in 2019, representing consumer confidence in booking further ahead.
Southeast Asia is also proving a popular destination, with bucket list and multi-generational family group trips still a high priority.
Chief executive Steve Byrne said: “We are thrilled to see the continued demand from customers and clients for travel after such a busy January, and notably the growth in our own packages in Phenix as customers look for truly personalised and tailor-made experiences, with 75% of our sales in the premium leisure market.
“This reflects that customers are really valuing the added reassurance that their Travel Counsellor is there for them, has complete control of the booking and that they are fully financially protected.
“Our continued growth is testament to the amazing dedication and hard work of our Travel Counsellors and colleague community who are passionate about what they do.
“We will continue to focus on enhancing and building on the platform of support, technology, and tools to enable our business owners to operate their businesses and lifestyles in a way that suits them, whilst providing the most personal service to their customers, and enabling them to celebrate even more success in 2023.”