Gold Medal has expanded into Ireland, widening Trade Partnerships Executive Olivia Martin’s role to cover both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The UK trade-only tour operator has also assembled a contact centre team for the Irish market to help agents package tailor-made enquiries, backed by its trade and marketing teams.

The launch follows introductory dinners in Dublin, Limerick and Cork, where Managing Director Simon Applebaum and the Gold Medal team presented the brand’s proposition and heard directly from the Irish travel trade. Over the next two weeks the team will carry out an intensive “sales blitz”, visiting agents across Ireland in person.

The structural driver is growing operator interest in the Irish trade, with JTA Holidays also announcing a move into Ireland a week earlier and quoting more than €1 million of holidays within 48 hours of launching.

“For nearly five decades, we have supported travel agents across the UK with specialist knowledge, flexible packaging and award-winning trade support,” said Applebaum, who called the move “a pivotal moment” for the brand. “Extending that partnership to agents throughout Ireland is central to our strategy and reflects our continued commitment to the travel trade.”

On Martin’s expanded remit, Applebaum said: “Olivia’s prior experience means we’re in the best position possible to hit the ground running. She will be helping agents to navigate our product range, maximise earnings, and access the training and incentives that have made Gold Medal a favourite with the UK trade.”

Gold Medal is part of dnata Travel Group UK, which is headquartered in Leyland, Lancashire, and employs more than 800 people across brands including Travel Republic, Travelbag, Netflights and Sunmaster.

The group belongs to dnata and the wider Emirates Group. dnata reported revenue of US 6. 4 billion (approximately €5.4 billion) and profit before tax of US 437 million (approximately €367 million) in its record results for the year to 31 March 2026.

For the sector, the expansion reflects tour operators competing for Irish agents on service, with local contact centre support and in-person training positioned alongside product range.

Source: TTG Media / ITT / Travel Trade Journal