Prestige Travel records 30% departures growth for 2026

Prestige Travel hosted about 50 agents on a Thames cruise last week in recognition of the strength of trade sales, which have grown each year since 2022.

The agents sat down for a three-course meal on the Elizabethan, a replica of a Mississippi paddle steamer, on Friday evening.

Prestige Travel managing director Darren Hollis said: “We really value agents. We survey them at least twice a year and listen to what they want and we’re committed to delivering on that.”

Trade sales, which represent about 95% of the tour operator’s business, have grown beyond expectations for the last three years.

“We’re always looking for 15% growth year on year but we’ve exceeded that every year since 2022 and we tend to be at 20% growth,” said Hollis, adding: “Our growth for departures in 2026 is even higher – it’s just over 30% going into 2026.”

Multi-centre Croatia trips have recorded the largest spike among European bookings, while Australia and New Zealand trips are thought to have registered the biggest increase in enquiries.

Hollis added that enquiries to the US and Canada had also risen, despite expectations that they would drop.

Outlining a further trend, he said: “Generally we’re noticing a higher average price for long-haul. People are spending more and staying longer.”

The agents invited to the event on the Elizabethan included long-standing partners as well as agents who had only recently started working with Prestige Travel.

The evening also featured live musicians, magicians and presentations from suppliers.

Hollis thanked the agents for their contributions to the success of Prestige Travel, adding: “Tonight is about celebrating the relationships we have and what we’ve achieved, and it’s also hopefully about new relationships.”