Prestige Travel ‘very fortunate’ despite bookings slowdown

Prestige Travel managing director Darren Hollis has said the business has been trading flat for the past three months year on year, but he described the company as “very fortunate” compared with others.

Hollis said new bookings slowed considerably after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran at the end of February, prompting retaliatory action.

“Since March 1, there have definitely been some headwinds on bookings. We’re seeing business is pretty flat,” he said. “We’re seeing busy periods, then quiet periods, then busy, then quiet.”

Hollis, who spoke to Travel Weekly as the trade-focused operator hosted 54 agents at Warwick Castle, said the business aimed for 15% bookings growth each year.

Bookings grew by 22% between 2024 and 2025, he said, with departures rising by 28%.

“Departures for 2026 are already ahead of 2025 full-year. If nobody else books and departs this year, we’re still already growing,” he said.

He added: “Now that new bookings have slowed, there may be a boost in two weeks’ time or it may get worse in two weeks. We don’t see huge value in trying to guess.”

Prestige Travel’s destinations have avoided significant operational disruption from the Middle East conflict, he said.

“One of the things I often remind the team is that our agent partners and some suppliers are getting a lot of impact compared with us, so spare a thought for them and realise how fortunate we are,” he added.

“We have a few Australasia flights that would go through the Middle East but we’ve always tended to be more Singapore anyway, so we’re very fortunate with the impact.”

Since the conflict began, the operator’s ‘Closer to Home’ programme has recorded significant growth.

“The Channel Islands and the Isles of Scilly are up hugely,” Hollis said. “The average booking value for closer destinations is up nearly 20%.”

Over the past year, agents have frequently requested additional destinations, he added, resulting in more European products.

“We launched ‘Sicily and Italian Lakes’ and that’s really grown for us,” he said, adding: “We’ll do more Italy and a few more European destinations next year.”

The trade event at Warwick Castle, which featured a three-course meal and entertainment, was an opportunity to thank agents and suppliers, Hollis said.

He revealed about 80 additional agents have started booking with the company in the last year.