Trade-only operator Gold Medal has reported a surge in bookings for its Asia destinations, as travel restrictions have eased in destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
It said sales to Thailand returned to 80% of 2019 levels in March, and the average booking value for Asia has doubled thanks to a “significant rise” in package bookings when previously most customers were only booking flights.
Furthermore, the average length of stay for travellers heading to popular destinations in Asia this year is 15% longer than in 2019.
It means that revenue from bookings in the first week of April was twice that of the previous week.
Also, the operator took almost 100 bookings for Asia in the week commencing March 28, compared to fewer than 50 per week during February and most of March.
Gold Medal said it has seen a wide range of destinations being booked, with departures throughout the year.
The most popular so far for 2022 are Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia.
Thailand in particular has seen bookings rise following the removal of pre-departure testing from April 1 – and the launch of Gold Medal’s multi-centre Thailand ‘More for Less’ package, featuring Phuket, Khao Sok, and Krabi.
Simon Applebaum, Gold Medal managing director, said: “I’m delighted that consumer confidence for Asia is returning, and that we’re seeing such rapid growth in our Asia business, as historically we’ve had such strength in the region.
“The success of our ‘More for Less’ offer means that agents should expect more, unmissable Gold Medal offers in the coming weeks and months.
“Our shared ownership with Destination Asia, as part of the dnata Travel Group, makes us uniquely positioned to deliver incredible experiences in-resort for travellers as the demand for more extensive travel packages continues to increase.”
Applebaum added: “With more destinations opening up across Asia, and the relaxing of pre-travel and in-destination requirements, we only see our Asia product continuing to grow from strength to strength.
“Our first Pure Luxury Thailand fam trip of 2022 is set to leave in the next few weeks for an incredible experience in Thailand, plus we have destination specialists delivering training to our agent partners, as we aim to rebuild confidence in selling this popular destination.”
Also new to Gold Medal is The Village, Coconut Island, just off the coast of Phuket in Thailand.
A seven-night holiday at the resort costs from £1,039 including transfers, flights and breakfasts, based on two adults sharing a Jacuzzi Suite.