AUSTRALIA is booming for Signature Travel Network, both as an inbound and outbound market, President & Chief Executive Officer Alex Sharpe told travelBulletin.
Sharpe recently visited Australia for the first time since Signature’s appointment of local Managing Director Lisa Harrison.
He said although Australia was a little behind on its comeback from the COVID-19 pandemic, the market is now making a resounding contribution to Signature’s bottom line.
This comes as Signature recorded its best ever year last year, up 17%, while this year, the luxury travel co-op is up another 10%.
Signature has also paid out record overrides the past two years, Sharpe added.
“We’re running ahead in a good way, and some of that is increased capacity from the cruise perspective, but a lot of it is our members are just better prepared,” he explained.
“They’re more effective and efficient, they’re using technology better in their bottom lines, they’re charging fees, they’re efficient through technology.”
Sharpe hopes the coming months will see Signature pull comfortably ahead of this year too, particularly as Americans turn their attention away from the polls and back toward travel.
“I’m really optimistic, when we get through the election, we’ll be well ahead for 2025, which is important,” he said.
“But then for us, Thanksgiving weekend, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, I think will be record-breaking.
“Our partners, they’re [saying] let’s get further ahead, let’s get into ’26, let’s get into ’27, they’re releasing inventory rates earlier and earlier, and I love that, I think it gives them a measure of certainty.”
