The record-breaking day pushed the homeworking giant’s January past £50 million, with the group also recording its biggest-ever Monday for bookings on 16 January as sales topped £4.7 million.

A recent survey by Travel Counsellors found customer confidence remains high, with 89% of respondents still looking to travel, despite the ongoing cost of living crisis.

 
Jim Eastwood, global sales director at Travel Counsellors, said: "This is a record-breaking January so far, with [so-called] Blue Monday spurring customers on to book their holidays for the year, in addition to our sizeable corporate travel sales."

Eastwood added: "These outstanding results show that despite the current environment, customers are still placing great value on travel experiences, while wanting to book with someone they can trust and who will be there for them every step of the way."

Popular destinations include Spain, the US, Greece, the UAE, Italy, Finland and Thailand.

While "late" bookings for February and March have increased as customers look to get away during the winter for a short break, Travel Counsellors said its sales data suggested customers were also getting back into the routine of planning and booking their summer holidays well in advance, with July and August still the group’s biggest departure months.