The company, which includes the Esprit, Inntravel and Ski Total brands plus a Lapland and summer programmes, saw Ebitda – earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation – climb to £8.9 million in the year to October 31, 2015, compared with £4.6 million in 2014. The result comes despite a slight fall in turnover from £204.5 million in 2014 to £198 million in 2015.

The figure was achieved despite poor early snowfalls during the key November and December winter sports selling season and disruption caused by heavy snow in the French and Swiss Alps during the peak Christmas and New Year travel period. The company said this had caused “considerable unbudgeted repatriation and welfare costs”.

Another setback was the removal of the Swiss franc’s peg to the euro, which saw the exchange rate to the pound fall from SF1.55 to 1.2 in an already expensive destination. However, a strong pound versus other currencies and a trimming of capacity offset this, enabling higher margins. In addition, sales were helped by a wet British summer, low inflation and a big fall in oil prices.

Group commercial director Andy Appleton said the improved result had been achieved by “strong demand”, coupled with fewer total transfer days that were weather-affected. He told TTG that summer lakes and mountain destinations such as Italy had seen strong demand at the expense of countries like Turkey.

The company’s annual report, produced pre-Brexit, said 2016 load factors and average selling prices across all brands had improved but that a “prudent approach” to growth expectations was being taken.

“We don’t know what UK PLC will look like in 12 months. Exchange rates will be a factor for things like lift passes,” added Appleton.

Figures in 2016 will be bolstered by the addition of the Explore and Regal brands. The group purchased Explore Worldwide and Regal Diving and Tours in December 2015. Explore and Regal made an Ebitda of £2.4 million on revenue of £44.8 million for the year ending March 31, 2015. Hotelplan said it “continued to review new business opportunities”.