TourMaG – The EDV-Orchestra barometer shows a rebound, with business volume up 7.6%, the number of bookings up 2.9%, and the average basket rising by 4.6%. Do you see yourself aligning with this trend?
Gonzague de Gélis: Bookings at Kuoni are strong in August. We’re even around +15% for August bookings compared to last year. It’s therefore a very good month.
And among the good news for August, Egypt stands out. It is the destination that is growing the most and driving our August performance. We also have a Lapland effect for next winter.
TourMaG – How are bookings developing for Asia?
Gonzague de Gélis: Overall, we are roughly +20% for Asia on departures for 2026 booked in August, while departures for 2027 show a 109.7% rise. It is therefore extremely positive.
Some destinations had seen a lull, notably during various conflicts, but they are now rebounding very well. However, the Maldives remain challenging, as do the Seychelles.
The United States is not very dynamic either at the moment. But this isn’t necessarily the selling period, so it’s still a bit early to draw a clear 2027 trend.
On the other hand, everything else is performing very well: Egypt, Asia, South Africa, Tanzania, the tours, but also Europe. Bespoke travel is also doing very well.
Gonzague de Gélis: Bookings at Kuoni are strong in August. We’re even around +15% for August bookings compared to last year. It’s therefore a very good month.
And among the good news for August, Egypt stands out. It is the destination that is growing the most and driving our August performance. We also have a Lapland effect for next winter.
TourMaG – How are bookings developing for Asia?
Gonzague de Gélis: Overall, we are roughly +20% for Asia on departures for 2026 booked in August, while departures for 2027 show a 109.7% rise. It is therefore extremely positive.
Some destinations had seen a lull, notably during various conflicts, but they are now rebounding very well. However, the Maldives remain challenging, as do the Seychelles.
The United States is not very dynamic either at the moment. But this isn’t necessarily the selling period, so it’s still a bit early to draw a clear 2027 trend.
On the other hand, everything else is performing very well: Egypt, Asia, South Africa, Tanzania, the tours, but also Europe. Bespoke travel is also doing very well.
“Our 2027 portfolio is up compared to last year”
TourMaG: And what about Mauritius?Gonzague de Gélis: Mauritius is performing exceptionally well for us. It’s actually one of the standout news of this rentrée. We’ve decided to highlight it further in September with a dedicated brochure, which will be more like a large flyer, accompanied by a special offer.
The objective is to keep pushing Mauritius during the rentrée and especially to leverage its strong sales for the winter season.
TourMaG – So you’re quite confident for the rentrée?
Gonzague de Gélis: Yes, clearly. We had solid sales in the summer, which makes us confident for the rentrée. We are now keeping our fingers crossed that September follows the same trend.
TourMaG – Are the 2027 elections worrying you?
Gonzague de Gélis: Elections tend to create a bit of wait-and-see, and they rarely have a genuinely positive effect on bookings. But compared with other geopolitical events, I’d rather have a election year!
Most importantly, our 2027 portfolio is already rising relative to last year. I tell myself we will inevitably do better, unless something happens that we do not yet know about. For now, things are looking good and we remain confident.
Kuoni: “We have completely caught up with group sales for 2027”
TourMaG – What about the group market, which often serves as an early indicator of activity?
Gonzague de Gélis: Groups remain a valuable barometer because they provide a forward-looking view of what could happen later with individual bookings.
We did experience a small dip in May-June. We issued many quotes, but responses were scarce, whereas that period is when groups typically start booking for the following year.
Over the summer, however, we received a lot of responses to quotes already made.
We have therefore completely caught up with 2027 group sales. Again, we are fairly confident: it has really rebounded well.
TourMaG – What are Kuoni’s main events for this rentrée?
Gonzague de Gélis: Our flagship brochures, focused on circuits and stays, were released before summer. Specialist brochures typically arrive a little later.
We will notably publish the Egypt brochure in September. Other brochures, such as Donatello, will come later in the year, as will Celtictours.
And from mid-September, we will particularly spotlight Mauritius with this dedicated brochure and a special offer.
Gonzague de Gélis: Groups remain a valuable barometer because they provide a forward-looking view of what could happen later with individual bookings.
We did experience a small dip in May-June. We issued many quotes, but responses were scarce, whereas that period is when groups typically start booking for the following year.
Over the summer, however, we received a lot of responses to quotes already made.
We have therefore completely caught up with 2027 group sales. Again, we are fairly confident: it has really rebounded well.
TourMaG – What are Kuoni’s main events for this rentrée?
Gonzague de Gélis: Our flagship brochures, focused on circuits and stays, were released before summer. Specialist brochures typically arrive a little later.
We will notably publish the Egypt brochure in September. Other brochures, such as Donatello, will come later in the year, as will Celtictours.
And from mid-September, we will particularly spotlight Mauritius with this dedicated brochure and a special offer.
