Trade sales up 11% as Explore celebrates strongest-ever January

Explore agency sales manager Philippa Baines said: “We’re starting 2024 in such a strong position, with two new roles in the UK team plus growth overseas, as well as lots of great plans and ambitions for the coming months – the sales results are another great boost.”  

The operator’s single biggest day for both sales and booked passenger numbers in its 42-year history came on 18 January 2024, the final day of its Big Blue sale, during which it cut the price of hundreds of small group tours by 20%.

Explore also recorded its biggest week ever during the January sale, following its announcement of a best year of sales on record in the year to October 2023. 

Michael Edwards, Explore managing director, added: “We knew the Big Blue Sale would be popular, with a huge number of dates discounted right up until the end of the year. But it’s been interesting to see a real shift towards longer-haul destinations this year.

"I’m so proud of the whole Explore team for managing huge numbers of calls from customers and agents so quickly and efficiently."

The operator’s best-selling tours in January 2024 were Simply Japan and Walking in Madeira.