A TRAVEL business expects sales this year to be more than double those of 2021 as it prepares to hire more staff.

Not Just Travel and its recruitment arm the Travel Franchise has more than doubled its staff in the past few months after announcing a £1million investment in jobs.

The business, based near Bournemouth Airport, sells bespoke holiday package through travel consultants based at home. It says stories of delays at airports have not dented people’s enthusiasm for travel.

Bosses say they have broken nearly all sales records this year, with holiday sales up 300 per cent year-on year in January, and the team enjoying its biggest day on record for the most passengers booked.

Steve Witt, co-founder of Not Just Travel and the Travel Franchise, said: "So far in 2022 we have already booked more holidays for more clients than the whole of 2021. This goes to show the level of excitement there is in people wanting to travel right now.

“Sales for 2022 will be more than double 2021, with the average customer spending on average £1000 more on their travel plans. Not because holidays are more expensive, but because they are booking more exciting holidays.

“That said, over 60 per cent of bookings right now are for summer 2022 with clients booking last-minute deals to get away. The fear of busy airports or possible disruptions is not putting clients off. Simply allowing more travel time and being prepared, has allowed most clients to travel stress-free. In fact, we check in with clients travelling, and virtually all clients have reported no significant issues when travelling.

“Last minute holidays are definitely on trend right now with bargain breaks to be had throughout the summer. You can grab yourself a fab holiday this summer for less than £500 per person.”

He said the business was poised for “massive expansion”, with more staff to be hired for its corporate HQ.

Founders Steve Witt and Paul Harrison were recently announced as finalists in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

The Travel Franchise sees people become travel consultants by paying between £3,000 and £50,000 for a franchise. It has put nearly 1,000 franchisees through training as qualified travel agents and entreprneuers.

The business said it turned a significant profit during the pandemic, when all global travel stopped.