Managers from the chain’s 44 branches came together with the management team in Wrexham for their first in-person meeting since December 2019.

Don Bircham, owner of Hays North West, told TTG: “It was fantastic after all those desperate months and virtual meetings to get everybody in the room in a normal environment and around the table.

“People had no resistance to coming together. We checked that everybody was comfortable and the vast majority are double jabbed.”

As well as reflecting on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, staff also heard about plans for the peaks booking period, upcoming P&O Cruises and Tui launches, and plans for staff incentives and bonuses.

“The greatest thing was being able to gauge the feeling in the room,” added Bircham. “You could feel the enthusiasm. There was terrific interaction that you can’t get on a computer.”

Bircham said the business has been “performing really well” in October, with 45% of bookings for departures before the end of this year.

“I’m really happy with the mix – business is strong with more high value and bucket list bookings than we would usually get,” he added.

“We’re seeing bookings with grandparents taking their children and grandchildren away. They’ve probably had their money under their bed for the last 18 months.”

The meeting was sponsored by Biblio Travel with Suzanne Arnold, UK sales manager – north, giving a presentation.