The adventure specialist said 16% of bookings now came via agents, versus 11% in 2019. Trade revenue has risen 73% as a result.

In the year to 31 October 2019, Explore made a pre-tax profit of £2 million on turnover of £41.6 million. It is set to exceed this result in 2022/23 following a record-breaking January which included the biggest day of sales in the operator’s 40-year history.

Explore predicted it would “greatly exceed” pre-pandemic bookings in the current financial year.

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.”

The greatest gains have been in Explore’s walking programme, up 41% on 2019, with European holidays up 67%. Big sellers include Dalmatian coast cycling tours, a Japan tour and an Atlas mountains climb.

The operator has increased investment in overseas markets, including opening a new office for Australia and New Zealand.