Newmarket Holidays has added more departures for its 11-day Cairo, Luxor and Nile Cruise itinerary following a more than 300% increase in bookings for the tour in the past 12 weeks compared with the same period in 2019.
Forward bookings for the tour for 2023 have also already exceeded 2019 levels, with the escorted touring specialist hopeful of "bumper sales" for the coming year.
Kathy Vigolo, Newmarket’s head of long-haul, said the operator put pent-up demand for the tour down to Egypt’s emergence from a challenging period for the country, one that pre-dates the pandemic, and its perennial popularity.
"Egypt is home to many bucket-list sights, such as the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx and Luxor Temple, and a cruise down the famous River Nile is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Vigolo.
Richard Forde, Newmarket head of retail sales, added: “This holiday really ticks all the boxes. The fact it is a tour and cruise combined, with so much included, demonstrates really great value and therefore makes it an easier sell for travel agents.
"Plus, it flies from seven regional airports, including Aberdeen, Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh, so it really has nationwide appeal.”