Package bookings with the trade-only operator are up by nearly 70% compared with the same mid-peaks period last year, with Gold Medal admitting sales were "surpassing expectations".
It has also seen "significant" year-on-year growth in revenue, average booking values, total bookings and length of stay, which Gold Medal said indicated a resurgence in demand for long-haul travel to place it on part with levels "not seen since January 2020".
The number of agents booking US single, twin, multi-centre or self-drive packages through Gold Medal parent dnata’s B2B brands has increased by nearly a quarter compared with last year, while revenue us up by almost 50%, which Gold Medal said has been driven by a rise in average booking values of almost a third and longer average holiday durations.
Agents’ top performers include Florida, California and Hawaii, with year-on-year sales revenue up 73%, 76% and nearly 90% respectively. Gold Medal also revealed the number of agents booking US packages has increased by nearly 50% compared with peaks 2022 as travellers put aside concerns about the pound’s weakness against the dollar and take advantage of increased air capacity to the US.
Tricia Birmingham, dnata Travel Group B2B trading director, said: “Although we’re seeing very promising levels of demand across all our key long-haul destinations, the US in particular has been absolutely booming for us since our campaigns launched, and has really helped to get 2023 off to a flying start.
"It’s always a very popular destination for us, yet with the recent exchange rate volatility, demand slowed among bookers who may have otherwise been wanting to explore one or more of its many iconic cities or states."
At an individual brand level, revenue from package holiday bookings has increased by 45%, 176% and 100% for Gold Medal, Cruise Plus and Incredible Journeys respectively year-on-year.
Gold Medal has seen revenue growth of 67%, 86%, 22% and 43% on bookings for Florida, New York, Nevada and California respectively, with bookings for Florida and New York also driving 182% and 110% revenue growth for Cruise Plus.
Demand for packages to California with Pure Luxury and Incredible Journeys has driven revenue up by 375% and 100%.
Although all B2B brands are seeing high demand for bookings departing in the next three to six months, enquiries and bookings are also rising for 2024 departures – particularly for Orlando.
Agents booking package holidays to the US with dnata Travel Group B2B’s brands can access a range of exclusive value-added experiences on bookings made throughout the peaks campaign, including a $300 gift card when making a booking at Universal Parks & Resorts in Orlando, or a free helicopter flight over the Las Vegas strip.
