The first launch will focus on domestic escorted tours through New Zealand. ‘The next step in this space will be the Pacific and Australia for the foreseeable future,’ says Mckearney. By the end of March, Travel Lab will launch a digital business focusing on holiday homes, incorporating 
‘a platform with quirks built into it.’

At the beginning of July the plan is to launch Travel Lab’s ‘hero brand’, focused on a wide range of leisure offerings. ‘Obviously we will have tours, cruises and other things offered by people in this room, but we will also drop in things like motor homes, camp sites, food and beverage on journey, as well as activities – we’ll be travelling with the customer.’

In the third quarter a corporate travel business will be launched, as will a sports tour business and a web platform focused on touring.

‘So the push of the business matches where we see the world and the booking patterns opening up.’

He says the industry can also watch out for a corporate learning business, youth business and online cruise platform. ‘Then in 2022, we’ll be launching a travel agent marketplace.’