Gold Medal is launching a luxury tour operator to compete with the likes of ITC Classics and Elegant Resorts following an internal restructure.
Managing director Terry Fisher said the as yet unnamed operator will launch in April and will feature five-star breaks in destinations Gold Medal already features.
He has not ruled out launching a direct distribution channel for the new brand although he said: “I’d rather deal with the trade, being a former travel agent myself.”
The restructure has seen the departure of product director Nigel Fell, while former sales director David Holland is “considering other roles” after the directorship of the merged sales and marketing departments went to Ruth Connor.
Insiders have suggested the merger could herald increased direct sales. However, Fisher said the operator will maintain 60% of distribution through the trade.
He also said Gold Medal is looking to make acquisitions following the creation of a new role for former ground product director David Robinson. He is now responsible for “new revenue streams, opportunities and acquisitions”.
The focus is likely to be on setting up deals similar to Gold Medal’s arrangement to handle business-class airline Silverjet’s third-party fulfilment.
Fisher said: “I’m more interested in profitability than growth.”
He added: “Every business in the travel industry is up for sale if the price is right, although we have no plans to sell the business at the moment.”
It is anticipated the market for acquisitions will be boosted by the Thomas Cook/MyTravel merger.
Hoseasons chief executive Richard Carrick said of the new Thomas Cook Group: “I don’t think they can afford not to acquire once they have integrated.”