Managing director Mark Anderson told attendees at the company’s annual awards and dinner, on the eve of World Travel Market London, that trading was strong and had justified the move.

"Some people thought I’d lost the plot but we simply wanted to do the right thing by our customers," he declared.

"Now our sales are up, our brand preference scores are twice those of our nearest competitor and we have climbed 98 places to 15 on the KPMG Nunwood Customer Experience Excellence Ranking."

Virgin Holidays has put a renewed focus on its people, said Anderson at the event – at iconic London venue the Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street - after moving to purpose-built new offices adjacent to the old office in Crawley, West Sussex.

Anderson said diversity was a key focus for the travel business, with Virgin Holidays a supporter of the TTG LGBT programme.

Looking ahead, he added: “Next year will be tough – with Brexit and currencies going up and down like a yoyo.

“Doing the right thing, and providing customers with value through pioneering travel innovation, will matter even more.”