Head of trade sales Richard Forde revealed on Thursday (17 February) that Newmarket’s family-focused day-trip programme is already more than 75% sold for the coming winter, buoyed by a successful 2021 season.

Newmarket has operated family packages to Swedish Lapland for the past 10 years, chartering flights from 13 regional airports to offer more than 2,500 seats a year.

“Our Lapland programme has always proved popular, especially with our travel agent partners," said Forde. "In 2021, we actually operated a Lapland programme, and this successful step forward set us in good stead for 2022, which is selling really strongly. We’re over 75% sold and are anticipating a sell-out season.”

Forde said he was hopeful recent positive changes to Covid travel rules in the UK and Sweden would fuel additional demand for Lapland trips.

"We know how challenging it’s been for our customers to have missed out on special moments with loved ones during the past festive seasons," he said. "Now, more than ever, we want to ensure that they make up for that lost time – Lapland, with its magical winter wonderland setting, is the perfect destination to do so.

"We hope that with the continued loosening of travel restrictions, the roll-out of the booster programme and steadily growing customer confidence, the festive period in 2022 really will be the most wonderful time of the year.”