Long-haul boom fires expansion

Jan 25 2008 By Greig Cameron

agent opens three new shops

A boom in long-haul and cruise holidays is helping Scotland's largest independent travel agent to expand.

Barrhead Travel is to open new shops in Glasgow's Silverburn shopping mall, Dunfermline and East Kilbride this year as it continues to expand.

The Glasgow-based company, headed by managing director Sharon Munro, also said it has enjoyed a bumper start to 2008.

Despite the credit crunch with many holiday companies reporting sluggish sales, Barrhead Travel's forward bookings are at their highest ever.

Munro said she was delighted with the sales so far this year and even more confident about the future

"We have been able to offer our customers up to 50 per cent discounts by bulk buying holidays and we also use our own technology which cuts out the tour operator and drives down holiday prices," she said.

"Besides the traditional Mediterranean holiday destinations we have seen growth in long-haul and cruising and we have also launched our new Canadian holiday brochure.

"However, the main worry we have is that the number of holidays for sale from Scotland from the main holiday companies has been greatly reduced and there will be a shortage this year, so my message is book early to avoid disappointment."

Her confidence in the future is reinforced by the decision to open shops across Scotland and filling in the gaps in the company's portfolio as well as investing heavily in the internet.

The company recently opened a new shop in St James Centre in Edinburgh following recent openings in Dundee and Stirling.

With the opening of their three new shops they will have a total of 12 outlets.

Barrhead Travel also run a homeworking team in Scotland and Ireland which will be expanded in 2008.

"We now employ over 400 staff and are looking to recruit an additional 50, which is all good for the Scottish economy," said Munro.