Hays Travel, the UK's largest independent travel agency, has made a profit for the first time since the beginning of the Pandemic.
In the three years since Thomas Cook shops and jobs were saved, the company has made money.
The Independence Group, which provides back-office services to other independent travel agencies, made a profit before tax of over 14 million pounds.
In a statement, Hays said that this was despite a turbulent 12 months with ongoing coronaviruses restrictions, the Omicron variant, the national recruitment crisis and the tragic Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The group achieved a transaction value of over $1 billion and increased travel bookings by 221%.
The agents were told to avoid short term focus.
There will be a price game in 2023.
Hays Travel wants the industry to stop flexible booking terms.
The company has no debt and does not use credit cards.
Its balance sheet continued to strengthen as a result of improved sales of cruises and touring holidays.
The number of customers who were new to both Hays Travel and Thomas Cook stores increased.
The results vindicate our decision to acquire the Thomas Cook retail estate and we have fulfilled our commitment to return the remaining shops to profit.
Customer service is the key to our success. Our agents were always there for their customers when there was a new challenge.
The strength of the balance sheet pre-pandemic was a factor in sustaining the business.
Hays Travel's business plan is "ambitious and achievable" despite the cost-of-living crisis.
There is still demand for holidays. As the UK's largest independent agent, we can find holidays for people on a budget or those who want luxury, longer cruises or touring holidays, and we are seeing more people choose to spread the cost by direct debit.
In the current year, we will continue to grow organically and through acquisitions, as well as developing our Independence Group, Foreign Exchange and Homeworking Divisions.
All former Thomas Cook employees who wanted to join Hays Travel were retained in 2019.
More than 500 apprenticeships are available in travel agent or head office roles.
The company's staff has yet again been exceptional, said Dame Irene. The success of the company is due to their commitment to customer service throughout the Pandemic.
More than doubled the number of apprentices have been recruited and trained by us. We can now reward our retail teams for their loyalty and hard work with a larger bonus scheme.
Through our branches across the country and the Hays Travel Foundation, we can once again give back to local communities.
The Hays Travel Foundation is focused on helping young people achieve. Community partnerships are funded in all of the company's stores.
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