Explore Worldwide has reported it is on track to “greatly exceed” pre-Covid sales in its current financial year with revenue from trade bookings already 73% up on 2019.
The tour operator is only halfway through its 2022-2023 financial year, which runs from November 1 to October 31, but said it has already surpassed its full-year results for 2018-2019.
This follows a record-breaking January, which included its biggest sale day in its 40-year history during its Big Blue Sale campaign.
More: Explore reports record bookings day as January sale begins
In total, 16% of Explore’s bookings now come through travel agents in comparison to 11% in 2019. The rise has resulted in a 73% hike in trade revenue.
The largest sales increases have come from the operator’s European holidays, sales of which are 67% up on 2019, and its walking programme, which is 41% up in terms of sales on 2019.
So far this year the three fastest-growing trips in sales terms have been Cycle the Dalmatian Coast, Simply Japan and Toubkal climb, up 406%, 366% and 319% respectively.
The operator said the results so far indicated that the brand would not only return to pre-pandemic sales levels this year but “greatly exceed” them.
Managing director Michael Edwards said: “We knew 2023 was going to be a big year for Explore with a lot of pent up demand. We also know that being the operator people could trust throughout the pandemic has stood us in good stead.
“With the world now fully opened up, and an enhanced appreciation for freedom and travel, there really is no better time to seize the day and book that once in a lifetime trip.”