‘Booming’ US sales boost peaks bookings for dnata brands

Dnata Travel Group’s B2B brands have seen package bookings soar 69% year on year so far in this current peaks selling season, driven by rising demand for Asia, Australia and the US.

The parent of Gold Medal, Pure Luxury, Cruise Plus and Incredible Journeys reported significant year-on-year growth for revenue, average booking value, bookings and length of stay for sales from January 3.

It said that demand for long-haul travel was “on a par with levels not seen since January 2020”.

The number of US packages has risen by nearly a quarter and revenue by almost 50% – driven by a rise in average booking value of almost a third, and longer average holiday durations.

Florida, California and Hawaii are the most popular destinations, with sales revenue rises of 73%, 76% and nearly 90% for each state respectively.

Looking at the brands, revenue from package holiday bookings has increased by 45%, 176% and 100% for Gold Medal, Cruise Plus and Incredible Journeys respectively year-on-year.

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.

Tricia Birmingham, trading director at dnata Travel Group B2B, said: “Although we’re seeing very promising levels of demand across all our key long-haul destinations, the USA 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.

“We’re confident that the exclusive experiences and the various incentives we have running throughout peaks, are making us the first choice for agents.”