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Dnata acquires Gold Medal Travel Group from Thomas Cook.

dnata Gold Medal Travel Group

By Michael Bobbin |

The Gold Medal Travel Group is a leader in the sector of distributing scheduled long-haul products. Along with the acquisition of the brand Gold Medal, dnata also receives control on OTA Netflights.com and the travel brand Pure Luxury which attaches its name only to high end products and services.

“dnata’s growth strategy aligns well with Gold Medal Travel Group - its comprehensive travel services complement dnata’s established international travel offering, and will further enhance the proposition we offer our customers be it to trade, corporates or individuals,” - Iain Andrew, divisional senior vice president, dnata’s travel business.

The Gold Medal Travel Group is based in Preston, U.K. and manages none less than 275,000 bookings each year, being considered as one of the biggest tour operators to Dubai.

Dnata has spotted common interest in the area and considered corroborating this portfolio with their experience in the Emirates for strengthening the companies along with building a strong tourism platform for the UAE area.

“This is a significant strategic partnership between two global brands, and will accelerate the growth trajectories of both Gold Medal Travel Group and dnata,” - Steve Barrass, managing director, Gold Medal Travel Group.

“Post this transaction, Gold Medal Travel Group will continue as the exclusive provider of scheduled air travel and car rental products to Thomas Cook UK and we look forward to combining forces with dnata to expand our offerings to our customers.”

“Netflights.com and Pure Luxury further position dnata as an international leader in travel services, able to offer customers superior travel options,” - Iain Andrew, divisional senior vice president, dnata’s travel business.

“Having the combined strength of guaranteed distribution through our independent agents, OTAs, wholesalers, and Thomas Cook UK allows us to source the very best product and offers from our close industry partners.”

The acquisition will not affect the Gold Medal Travel Group work routine as the venture will continue under the same branding with the same business standard as before.

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Gold Medal Travel Group invests in ‘specialism at scale’

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The Gold Medal Travel Group is investing in the expansion of its specialist touring, luxury and cruise brands as part of the B2B supplier’s plans for growth in 2023.

Simon Applebaum, managing director, told a Travel Weekly webcast that Gold Medal will remain as the group’s flagship brand, offering premium tailor-made holidays – but there will be a greater focus on developing its sister brands: Pure Luxury, Incredible Journeys and Cruise Plus.

He joined the company in November 2021, when it had been positioned “for survival” during the difficult times of the pandemic, with the specialist brands seen almost as sub-brands.

Over the past eight months, he has been looking at its assets and strategies for growth, and seeing how the brands “all stand up in their own right”.

He is expanding the specialist teams, while investing in technology, marketing and tools for agents to take advantage of the potential for growth in each sector.

“We’re really putting our money behind these strategies and doing what we’re calling specialism at scale, because Gold Medal has such a breadth of product,” he told the webcast.

“We’re in a fortunate position of being able to have all the upsides of contracting on volume, and technology, but also able to put in teams that focus on nothing but their specific brand.”

He said the adventure and touring brand Incredible Journeys has been “almost dormant” during the pandemic because of low demand and “us not spending any time really focused on it”.

However, looking at prospects for 2023, he anticipates touring and adventure holidays will “surge back” so he is investing in the team by hiring specialist contractors and marketeers to focus on the sector.

“We see it as probably the one that will rebound fastest, and has the most exciting growth potential,” he said.

He said Cruise Plus will be a £20 million-plus business, while Pure Luxury is double that figure.

Pure Luxury has expanded its team, ensuring post-booking changes are managed better, and taking on more ambassadors who have many years of working with high-net-worth individuals.

They are supported by concierges who can book extras such as romantic restaurants and golf tee-off times, and it includes Marhaba, which offers services for transfer passengers in Dubai.

Cruise Plus offers agents the chance to book bonded itineraries that feature ocean and river cruises along with the option for pre- and post-cruise land tours.

Applebaum said cruise sales have seen record week after record week, adding: “This has surpassed all of our expectations.” Furthermore, the river cruise sector is seeing more awareness among consumers and agents, offering the trade yet more opportunities, he said.

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dnata announces planned merger of Gold Medal and Travel 2

Suppliers, travel agent partners and consortia members of dnata Travel Group?s B2B brands, Gold Medal and Travel 2, and The Global Travel Group, have been notified that sister companies Gold Medal and Travel 2 are considering a merger of brandings and operative functions, over the next 45 days, with a set of proposals underway

The proposed single brand identity will be called Gold Medal, and will retain sub-brands Pure Luxury, Cruise Plus and Incredible Journeys.

Meanwhile, dnata Travel Group is planning to downsize the organisation. The proposal of the merger between Travel 2 and Gold Medal group, if accepted, will result in the centralisation of all operational, marketing and management functions, which operated out of the Leyland office and a reduction of staff across dnata Travel Group. Travel 2?s Glasgow office will close down under these plans. 

Lisa McAuley, managing director of dnata Travel Group explains ?We believe that the proposed consolidation of Travel 2 with Gold Medal, and Simply Luxury to Pure Luxury, and the retention of the Cruise Plus and Incredible Journeys sub-brands, will create a number of exciting opportunities for us and our travel agent partners, while reducing costs and complexity. 

?It will come to mean, that we retain our market position as leaders, while being more agile and focused on what we do best. The proposal will be given due consideration over the coming weeks, and I want to reassure our travel agent and industry partners that our commitment to the trade will remain a cornerstone of the brands, and the award-winning service for which we are renowned, will stay at the forefront of our future plans,? she adds. 

dnata Travel Group CEO, John Bevan says: ?The need for us to improve the efficiency of our organisation, create and build on synergies, simplify processes and reduce duplications has been evident to us for some time, and was the subject of a review we started late last year. It is now critical that we right size our organisation and make ourselves stronger and more focused in the delivery of exceptional travel products and services to consumers and trade partners alike.?  

Travel 2 and Gold Medal became sisters under the ownership of dnata in 2014. Since then, there have been a number of shared services, representing both brands and a close working relationship between the two companies.

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dnata acquires UK-based travel company, Gold Medal Travel Group

DUBAI, U.A.E., 11 th February 2014 : dnata announced today it has acquired one of the UK’s leading travel businesses, Gold Medal Travel Group from Thomas Cook Group plc. Gold Medal Travel Group is a market-leading distributor of scheduled long-haul products. In addition to the leading trade brand, Gold Medal, as part of this acquisition dnata also gains control of the award-winning OTA Netflights.com, and the high-end travel brand Pure Luxury.

"dnata’s growth strategy aligns well with Gold Medal Travel Group — its comprehensive travel services complement dnata’s established international travel offering, and will further enhance the proposition we offer our customers be it to trade, corporates or individuals,” said Iain Andrew, Divisional Senior Vice President of dnata’s travel business . “Gold Medal Travel Group is a successful company, with strong products supported by an excellent management team, and a compelling business strategy.

“This is a significant strategic partnership between two global brands, and will accelerate the growth trajectories of both Gold Medal Travel Group and dnata,” said Steve Barrass, Managing Director, Gold Medal Travel Group. “Post this transaction, Gold Medal Travel Group will continue as the exclusive provider of scheduled air travel and car rental products to Thomas Cook UK and we look forward to combining forces with dnata to expand our offerings to our customers.”

Based in Preston, UK, Gold Medal Travel Group handles more than 275,000 travel bookings a year and is one of the biggest tour operators to Dubai.  This coupled with dnata’s experience in the Emirate will strengthen the companies’ inbound travel services and support continued tourism growth in the UAE.

“Netflights.com and Pure Luxury further position dnata as an international leader in travel services, able to offer customers superior travel options,” added Andrew “Having the combined strength of guaranteed distribution through our independent agents, OTAs, wholesalers, and Thomas Cook UK allows us to source the very best product and offers from our close industry partners.”

The acquisition is effective from 11 February 2014, with no interruption to the services offered by Gold Medal Travel Group. The business will continue under the Gold Medal Travel Group branding.

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Gold medal unveils little book of incredible journeys.

Gold Medal has released the first digital-only Little Book of Incredible Journeys mini-brochure for agents under its new single brand.

The operator, which is part of dnata, has published the 44-page downloadable guide featuring more than 30 trips under the strapline “more than just a holiday”.

The itineraries combine multiple destinations, modes of transport, touring styles and experiences across Latin America, US and Canada, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australasia.

Options include complex tailor-made journeys, multi-centres, round-the-world trips, escorted and independent tours, small-group adventures, rail and self-drive.

Kerry Gallagher, Gold Medal’s marketing director, said: “After such limited travel opportunities over the last 12 months, customers are craving an adventure and looking to resume travel with a bang.

“We’re delighted to be able to make our new Little Book of Incredible Journeys available to agents so they can make those dreams come true. We know they’ll find plenty in there to inspire their customers and make their next trip truly incredible.”

All itineraries featured in the mini-brochure are priced from four regional UK airports to further support agents across the country.

An 11-day Eastern & Oriental Express Adventure from Singapore to Bangkok, departing in March 2022, is priced from £5,299pp including flights with Turkish Airlines from Gatwick.

The publication is also backed up by a range of social media tools including offers, topical content videos and tips for agents to share with clients.

Little Book of Incredible Journeys can be downloaded from Gold Medal’s website ( goldmedal.co.uk ) or through its Facebook account (@GoldMedalAgents).

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Posted by Ben Ireland on Aug 9th, 2021 at 19:29

Travel Republic parent names new chief executive

Ailsa Pollard succeeds former lastminute boss John Bevan at dnata Travel Group

Dnata Travel Group has appointed a new chief executive for its UK and Europe division.

Ailsa Pollard has been a member of the company’s senior leadership team for 12 years in a variety of roles.

She takes the role of chief executive officer for dnata Travel Group (UK & Europe) from November 1, and will report in to previous incumbent John Bevan, who  now oversees all aspects of dnata’s global travel business as divisional senior vice president for travel .

Pollard will assume responsibility for all of dnata Travel Group’s UK-based brands – Gold Medal, Travel Republic, Travelbag, Netflights and Sunmaster – as the head of a leadership team and workforce numbering nearly 800 people.

Her previous senior roles include: vice president – business development and strategy, heading the team that oversaw the acquisition of and holding board positions on many of the businesses that now form the group’s UK portfolio; and four years as senior vice president – Emirates Holidays, in which she oversaw the brand’s global operations across 36 markets.

Most recently, as senior vice president – transformation (global) and consumer businesses (ME&I), she had responsibility for the dnata Travel consumer travel brand in the UAE, and overseeing a complete strategic review and transformation of dnata Travel Group’s global portfolio of brands through Covid, driving operational efficiencies and strategic clarity to support the delivery of its post-pandemic vision of ‘reconnecting a better world’.

Commenting on Pollard’s appointment, Bevan said: “We’re delighted that another part of the dnata Travel family will now be able to benefit from Ailsa’s expertise and leadership.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with her for a number of years and know our team in the UK – as well as our valued industry partners – will enjoy working with her and will go on, together, to achieve great things.

“These are challenging times for all UK travel businesses, and need clear headedness, agility, honesty and commitment to navigate. Ailsa has all of those qualities, as well as decisive strategic vision, a passion for the customer and operational know-how. Our UK organisation couldn’t be in safer hands.”

Pollard added: “I’m looking forward to working with the UK team to emerge stronger from the pandemic. I know how tough the last 18 months have been on our people, our brands, our customers and our partners, but we have very strong foundations and the support of a global business on which we can collectively build an exciting future.”

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