While Gold Medal’s sales have remained “flat” in recent weeks, managing director of the sister brands Lisa McAuley is confident both are trading “ahead of the market”.
“There is so much uncertainty, it can paralyse you,” she told TTG. “But we went really strong into peaks and it seems to be paying off. It’s about keeping your nerve.”
Specialist areas have proven prosperous for Travel 2, with cruise up 63%, and touring 10%. Growth areas for Gold Medal include the Maldives, up 19% year-on-year, and Japan, up 45%.
Florida is proving “challenging” though. Passenger numbers for Pure Luxury and Simply Luxury have grown, but they have seen selling prices dip year-on-year.
McAuley reported forward bookings for 2020 as “very strong”, but admitted sales for this summer were “more of a challenge”.
However, the operators benefit from long lead-in times, she stressed. “My gut instinct is we are outperforming the market. It is tough, though.”
She added she was confident demand for holidays would flood back this summer.
