On with the show for upbeat Holidaybreak

Pre-tax profits across the group rose 9 per cent to 30.7m while revenues fell 2 per cent to 461.7m in the year ending September 30.

Holidaybreak has seen steady growth from its education division, with new PGL centres in Wiltshire and Sussex helping operating profits rise 16 per cent to 15.8m.

The Cheshire-based group has expanded its list of destinations with a 31m deal for 50 per cent of Berlin-based company, Meininger.

Holidaybreak said the firm had ten city centre sites near cultural locations, including in Cologne, Frankfurt, Vienna, London and Munich.

With a further five sites expected to open in 2011, Holidaybreak said the acquisition would help it become the leading brand in the European school trips market covering major destinations such as Paris, London and Milan.

Its York-based hotel breaks division was hit by January's extreme weather and tough economic conditions and saw profits fall by 8 per cent to 11.5m, although the group said popular stage shows, including Wicked, We Will Rock You and the forthcoming production of the Wizard of Oz, are continuing to drive demand.

Holidaybreak said its adventure travel arm continued its recovery from recession with a 12 per cent increase in annual operating profits to 4.7m.

Martin Davis, chief executive, said: "I am pleased with these results which demonstrate solid profit growth, improved cash management, stringent cost control and a strong operating margin performance.

"The growth in profitability is evidence of our strategic focus on our education businesses which are much less exposed to discretionary spending and where we can create unique, bespoke products and services for our customers."

Separately, corporate travel firm Hogg Robinson Group posted a surge in first-half profit and forecast full-year results ahead of expectations.

The Basingstoke-based firm, which provides business travel services to clients worldwide including Rolls-Royce, Volkswagen and GlaxoSmithKline, said spending and bookings were both up 18 per cent in the six months to September 30.

Hogg Robinson had to tighten its belt after the recession hit corporate travel.