** Shares of travel and tourism operator Helloworld Travel HLO.AX fall as much as 24.2% to A$1.555, its biggest intraday pct drop since March 19, 2020

** HLO is at its lowest level since January 10, 2023

** Company currently down 19.3% as of 0005 GMT

** Co reports HY profit after income tax of A$10.8 million ($6.86 million), down 32.4% from last year

** Also expects full-year underlying EBITDA of A$56 million to A$62 million

** 1.2 million shares change hands, 4.8 times the 30-day average of 252,154

** Stock down 14.8% YTD, including current session's moves

($1 = 1.5746 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Manasi Dasa in Bengaluru)

((Manasi.DasaSundeep@thomsonreuters.com))