Escorted operator Newmarket Holidays says travel agency bookings are “strongly” driving sales of its African safaris, which are the firm’s fastest growth area for 2022.
The operator has 12 holidays in its African product range, with four new tours with its latest brochure, including On Safari in Kenya, two new South African safaris and Madagascar – Red Island Wonders.
News of the sales growth for African safaris comes after Newmarket hailed the importance of travel agency bookings in its short-haul European range.
Richard Forde, head of trade sales, said: “We’ve been working on the expanded African safaris programme over the past 18 months, and we’re operating in six African countries for 2022-23 with more to come in the future.
“These tours are proving particularly popular with a slightly younger market and sell well with our agent partners.
“We see lots of potential in these tours for 2024 both in terms of our relationships with the trade and expanding our product range.
“It’s always great to bring new products and destinations to the trade, and we’re grateful that the agents got behind the new tours so quickly.
“Our bookings are more than double what they were in 2019 which is the important measure in terms of recovery.
“It seems that there is a real demand for wish-list holidays at the moment, and 50% of these bookings include an extension.”
He added: “Another reason these tours are popular is the small group element. With a maximum of 16 in the group and small, open-top vehicles, the experience is set up for a post-pandemic traveller. It’s currently the fastest growth area for agent bookings, and it’s easy to see why.”