Founders Stuart and Angela Wilson took the company’s first booking in 2003 when it was based out of their garage in Staffordshire.

Now, the company employs more than 100 people and has won more than 80 awards over its now 15-year history.

Blue Bay last year attracted £6.5 million investment from private equity firm LDC, which allowed it to upgrade its new online booking system, triple its office space and launch Xclusivity, its bespoke travel arm offering luxury short- and long-haul travel.

Chief executive Stuart Wilson said: “Since the first booking when we were based in my garage in 2003, the growth of Blue Bay Travel has been incredible and is something I will be eternally proud of.

“We wouldn’t be where we are now without the passion and commitment of the past and present members of the Blue Bay Team, so a massive thanks to them.”

The year got off to a remarkable start for Blue Bay after it smashed its daily, weekly and monthly January sales records, and that growth has continued throughout the year.

It has to date sent more than 22,000 people on holiday over the past 12 months, with bookings up 43% on 2017 (November to November).

Blue Bay broke in 2016 and 2017 its previous year’s figures for revenue, profit and conversion and this year has already surpassed its 2017 figures.

Managing director Maxine Rowland added: ‘It’s truly amazing, we are delighted to keep beating our own records, it really sets a great benchmark and we have to now keep working on improving these figures even more.”

The company now employs 103 people, an increase of 78% in 2018 with 15 new members of staff having joined in the past two months.

Among the 80 awards Blue Bay has won in recent years are TTG’s Call Centre of the Year and TTG’s Top Online Agency.