Research has suggested that homeworkers and personal travel agents are playing a crucial role in strong holiday bookings for this summer.

This is despite uncertainties around Brexit and any potential dent in consumer confidence.

Figures show that bookings to date for May to October are up 5 per cent, compared to the same period last year.

Fred Olsen Travel’s franchise operations manager Ami Fargher told Cruise Trade News that homeworkers are providing “reassurance” to customers.

“Our homeworking franchisees make the difference as they are experienced cruisers who, rather than “take an order” relish the opportunity to talk cruise to customers, guide them through jargon and all of the choices that are available to today’s cruiser,” she added.

“In a time of uncertainty, for a customer to know they can pick up the phone and speak to the same person that has guided them through from the start gives great reassurance and I feel contributes to the bumper January we are seeing.”

The Co-operative Travel’s Alistair Rowland also told the BBC that people are “not willing to give up their main holiday of the year and they’re willing to invest in it”, adding: “I think, if anything, people are so tired of Brexit, and they are used to their pound buying less.”

ABTA surveys show that 27 per cent of people will increase their holiday budget for this year, with 38 per cent planning to spend the same.