GREAT Rail Journeys, the York-based tour operator, has started 2008 with a record-breaking month, today reporting the highest January sales in the company's 25-year history.

The UK and European market leader for escorted holidays by rail saw its January sales increase by more than 12 per cent compared to its previous best figures, with nearly 6,000 passenger bookings taken in the month.

Over the last 18 months, Great Rail Journeys has experienced rapid growth and its turnover is now budgeted to exceed £50 million.

The workforce at its offices in St Saviourgate has doubled since 2006 to about 100 people, and this number will increase as the business continues to implement its growth plans.

Last year customer carryings broke the 26,000 mark for the first time ever, an increase of 30 per cent on the previous year.

This trend is set to continue, with a much expanded choice of European and worldwide holidays for 2008.

Steve Kimber, Great Rail Journeys' managing director, said: "Fortunately, despite concerns over the credit crunch', stock market slowdowns, currency fluctuations and general belt tightening, people see holidays as a necessity rather than a luxury."

The cost of a Great Rail Journeys holiday ranges from £550 for a five-day Bruges & The Flavour of Flanders break, to £7,695 for an 18-day holiday on-board the Trans-Siberian Express, travelling across Russia.

Holidays take the form of group travel. Holidaymakers are accompanied by a professional tour manager, and group size is typically between 35 and 45.