Hays Travel has announced profits for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

The Sunderland-based company reported a pre-tax profit of £14.35m for 2021-22 from its combined operations, despite a turbulent 12 months continuing to impact the travel industry.

Holiday bookings increased by 221% compared to the 12 months ended 30 April 2021.

The company, which acquired the licence to operate the Thomas Cook retail branches in October 2019, says it has made improvements with the sale of cruises and touring holidays, and increased its customer base, with 52% of new customers booking, over 19% in 2019.

Owner and Chair Dame Irene Hays, said: “These results vindicate our decision to acquire the Thomas Cook retail estate…we will continue to grow organically and via acquisitions as well as developing our Independence Group, Foreign Exchange and Homeworking Divisions.”

Dame Irene commended Hays employees’ commitment to continued customer service and says the company will pursue an ambitious but achievable business plan.

“We’ve continued to recruit and train more travel agents and head office positions and more than doubled the number of apprentices,” she added.