THE EDINBURGH DUNGEONS ARE GIVING THE GIFT OF RELAXATION THIS MOTHER’S DAY BY LOCKING MUM OUT OF THE ATTRACTIONS
Forget dire supermarket flowers and last-minute grab-and-go chocolates this Mother’s Day, as The Dungeons is treating motherly figures to the gift that many actually want … a day of uninterrupted peace and quiet!
This Sunday 10th March, The Edinburgh and York Dungeons are giving families the opportunity to treat their mothers, caregivers and loved ones to a day of peace and pampering by temporarily banning them from the attraction.
So bid farewell to your mum, loved one or person that generally picks up your mess at every turn as they are officially exiled from the depths of the dungeons, allowing them to bask in the serenity of their own home whilst their families can journey into the gruesome attraction which brings to life the deepest and darkest secrets from the city’s history.
Whilst this may be the ultimate gift for any hard-working family members who deserve some rest and relaxation on this special day, fear not as those organised peasants who have already pre-booked to bring their mum or those who’d still like to step back in time together will be allowed to enter, they’ll just have to pretend to be your ugly sister or plague-ridden granny!
Kathryn Adam, General Manager at The Edinburgh Dungeon, said: “While most people give cards, chocolates or flowers for Mother’s Day, we wanted to go one step further by giving mums and loved ones the gift that they often truly want yet won’t admit – some peace and quiet!
“While our attraction is full to the brim with haunts and exciting tales, we also recognise the importance of taking a break and recharging, especially for those who dedicate themselves tirelessly to caring for their families. So put your feet up and relax while your family enjoys a day of frights and fun.”
For further information and to book a visit to The Edinburgh or York Dungeons, please visit the website here: https://www.thedungeons.com
Opportunities for all to watch and try orienteering in the Scottish capital this summer
Ahead of what is set to be an exciting summer of sport in Scotland, Edinburgh plays host to the Sprint World Orienteering Championships (WOC 2024) from 12-16 July 2024.
For Edinburgh locals and tourists alike, the elite races will showcase the fast-paced sport of orienteering in the centre of the capital. Meanwhile, for amateur competitors of all levels, there is the chance to take part in an orienteering race as part of the WOC Tour.
Often thought of as a countryside sport, WOC 2024 races will all be staged in the intricate urban terrain Edinburgh has to offer, with the capital’s iconic landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat, providing the perfect backdrop for the elite courses.
Fans will be thrilled to watch the world’s best orienteering athletes tackle challenging routes which weave through the city’s historical and cultural attractions. Narrow vennels, steep slopes and narrow stairways will challenge even the world’s best orienteers, as they try and seek out the fastest routes in pursuit of victory.
With Great Britain second in the medal table at the last Sprint World Orienteering Championships in Denmark in 2022, the host nation will be looking to go one better and top the table. One of the nation’s best hopes will be Megan Carter-Davies who is the reigning Sprint World Champion and is expected to defend her title in Edinburgh this July.
As well as opportunities to spectate across the city and watch the finishes of the elite races, there will also be the chance for people to take part in orienteering races themselves as part of the WOC Tour.
Orienteering is for everyone, with races in the WOC Tour open to all ages, from under 10 upwards. Six varied races will allow competitors, from those relatively new to the sport up to experienced recreational athletes, to experience the best of urban orienteering. The Tour will be fully integrated into the WOC 2024 programme and will use some of the areas mapped for WOC 2024.
“The prospect of a World Championships on the streets of one of the world’s most recognisable cities is truly exciting,” saidAndy Mitchelmore, WOC 2024 Event Director.
“We are confident that we will provide high quality and challenging orienteering in a variety of terrains with finish locations that have been chosen to maximise the exposure of the sport and provide an incredible atmosphere.
“The accompanying WOC Tour races are sure to deliver a similarly immersive and inspiring experience, with courses taking in iconic sights and landmarks in Scotland’s capital. We cannot wait to share the WOC experience and welcome orienteering to Edinburgh in July 2024.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events, said: “Scotland is one of the best places in the world to experience events and we are looking forward to welcoming athletes and fans to Edinburgh this July for the Sprint World Orienteering Championships.
“Edinburgh, with its rich architecture and diverse terrain, is the perfect stage for the Championships and will provide a memorable experience for all competitors from beginners to elites.
“EventScotland is delighted to be supporting the Sprint World Orienteering Championships as part of an exciting portfolio of events taking place across the country this year.”
The City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said: “It’s really exciting to see the Sprint World Orienteering Championships come to Edinburgh this summer.
“We pride ourselves on bringing the world’s best events to the Capital and I’m sure this will be a thrilling spectacle for our residents and visitors to enjoy.
“I’d like to thank the organisers and of course our Council colleagues who have been working hard on this event and I’m sure it’ll be a great success.”
WOC 2024 is organised by Scottish 6 Days Orienteering in conjunction with Scottish Orienteering, British Orienteering and the International Orienteering Federation, with primary event partners EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, and The City of Edinburgh Council.
Calling all brave and curious explorers, this February The Real Mary King’s Close is shining a light (or lack of) onto Edinburgh’s history, illuminating the lives of former residents and unravelling truths about their deaths with Lantern Led Tours.
The Lantern Led Tours are available for a limited time only during Half Term, where guests will descend into complete darkness with the only light source being the flicker of their lanterns, as they explore Edinburgh’s history.
Hidden beneath the Capital’s iconic Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s best underground experience is ready to send those daring to on a time-traveling adventure.
The one hour guided tour will transport customers to another era, with eerie interactions from two insidious characters that used to strike terror into people’s hearts at their very sight.
Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “The Real Mary King’s Close is a place filled with excitement and mystery and stands as an important part of Edinburgh’s history.
“We’re delighted to re-launch our popular Lantern Led Tours after a highly successful run last year and give visitors the chance to follow in the footsteps of past residents, this time with only a lantern to guide them.
“This is the perfect activity to do with friends and family over the February holidays and discover more about the city’s dark past together.”
Lantern Led tours open from Friday 9th February to Monday 26th February, running each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6pm to 9pm.
Tickets cost £30 per adult and £24 per child (5 to 15yo – no under 5’s allowed).
The Chinese New Year is celebrated by cultures across the globe and this year retailers in Multrees Walk Edinburgh are inviting shoppers to celebrate The Year of the Dragon in style.
The Lunar New Year is a time for joy and celebration and is also an opportunity for many to buy gifts that represent good fortune and blessings.
A symbol of good luck, strength and prosperity, the dragon represents a hopeful year ahead. From beautifully designed dragon motifs to an abundance of red – a colour that represents luck, joy, and happiness in Chinese culture – Multrees Walk has curated a Lunar New Year gift guide to help celebrate the Chinese New Year.
The dragon motif has been adopted by several fashion brands to help bring in the Year of the Dragon in style:
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton will host an in-store event on Thursday 8th February between 12-6pm. Throughout the day, a calligrapher will illustrate a collection of stylish gift cards and there will be a selection of tea and sweet treats to enjoy.
Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols Edinburgh welcomes Scotland’s leading Palmist Kalem Turner for a day of astrology and tarot card reading on Saturday 10th February. Kalem will be hosting 1:1 appointments within the private, luxury surrounds of the Private Shopping suite at Harvey Nichols, Edinburgh.
Intricate dragon designs are commemorated on Limited edition Laura Mercier festive products to welcome the Lunar New Year.
Red and gold envelopes will also be given away to customers who spend over £250 within the Beauty/Retail department or £100 within the Forth Floor Foodmarket between 9th – 12th February. These envelopes will present customers with good fortune and the potential for what the year lies ahead.
And, red and gold envelopes will also be within a funfair Claw Grabber Machine, where chances to win tokens are given to customers who spend over £250 within the Beauty/Retail department or £100 within the Forth Floor Foodmarket between 9th – 12th February. These envelopes will present customers with good fortune and the potential for what the year lies ahead.
Mulberry
This Chinese New Year, designer Mira Mikati refreshes a series of Mulberry styles with her bright and bold signature colour palettes in a collaboration that perfectly encapsulates the joyful spirit of the Year of the Dragon.
Strathberry
Taking inspiration from traditional Chinese paintings, that depict the dragon in its most mesmerising form, Strathberry is delighted to release an exclusive, limited-edition collection, celebrating the Year of Dragon with a vibrant floral motif.
– Cardholder – £95
– Silk Skinny Scarf – £75
Strathberry customers are also invited to celebrate Chinese New Year by experiencing the art of Chinese calligraphy which is taking place in store on Saturday 3rd February.
Customers will also receive a Strathberry bespoke Red Envelope Set for the year of Dragon, which symbolises good luck and prosperity for the forthcoming year.
Johnstons of Elgin
Johnstons of Elgin have introduced a Limited Edition Cashmere Scarf, celebrating The Year of the Dragon. Made with the softest Cashmere yarn, this generously sized scarf features an embroidered image of a dragon, symbolising health, luck and strength in Chinese culture. Available in muted camel and light grey shades.
Michael Kors Edinburgh
Book a private stylist between 4th – 10th February to explore the new collection and receive a complimentary glass of prosecco. Customers that spend £100 or more will also receive a special gift with their purchase to celebrate Chinese New Year.
The Whisky Shop
The Whisky Shop in Multrees Walk introduces the Lunar Year with Johnnie Walker Blue Label’s spectacularly sweet and fruity limited-edition release. This is their latest addition to their yearly Lunar New Year Series.
Multrees Walk will join Edinburgh Tourism Action Group (ETAG) as part of the Edinburgh Chinese New Year Festival, which is the largest celebration of its kind in Scotland and runs from 3rd – 13th February 2024.
Eden Mill’s first-ever city centre Edinburgh venue opens next Saturday 3rd February 2024 as ‘The Eden Mill Experience’; located in the heart of the Scottish capital, the city’s newest drinks venue offers two unique journeys through the spirits & flavours of Eden Mill
Independent distiller Eden Mill announces a date for the grand opening of The Eden Mill Experience, the capital’s latest drinks experience and Eden Mill’s first brand-owned venue in central Edinburgh.
Opening Saturday 3rd February 2024, drinks lovers will have the chance to explore the stories behind Eden Mill’s whisky and gin expressions through a range of delicious cocktails, one of which guests will learn to mix themselves.
The Eden Mill Experience joins a flourishing area of the capital’s drinks scene; bursting with culture, innovative bars and restaurants. Positioned as an experience and journey into the Eden Mill brand, the location is the ideal venue for drinks fans to begin their perfect day or night out in the beautiful Scottish capital.
SHARE THE LOVE GIN | (From £30)
Love Gin (40% ABV) is Eden Mill’s delectably fruity, lightly sweet and subtly floral pink gin. Joining the Eden Mill portfolio in 2015, the spirit was originally created as a limited-edition for Valentine’s Day, but the taste of fresh rhubarb spice, sweet strawberries & vanilla combined with green apple, citrus and a hint of rose water, was adored and earned Love Gin a permanent position in the Eden Mill portfolio.
During the Share The Love Gin session, gin enthusiasts will hear the story of how Love Gin was born and the flavoursome botanicals used to make it so delicious. With three uniquely delicious cocktails and some sweet treats, this immersive session will tell the story of Eden Mill’s best-selling Love Gin.
THE GUARD BRIDGE MASTERCLASS | (From £35)
The Guard Bridge Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (46% ABV) is a new addition to Eden Mill’s range, crafted using an eclectic mix of single malts sourced from the Highland and Lowland regions of Scotland; the blend also contains Eden Mill Single Malt whisky which is highly scarce in quantity. The expression soothes the palate with the taste of creamy vanilla and barley sugar, finished with sherried fruit and light warm gingerbread.
During The Guard Bridge Masterclass, whisky fans will learn the journey and discover the story behind this new blended malt Scotch whisky while delving into its deliciously sweet tasting notes. Designed to be enjoyed in cocktails, attendees will try three as part of the experience to demonstrate the whisky’s versatility, with one cocktail “guaranteed to feature an ingredient guests have never tasted before!”.
Hannah Ingram, Head of Marketing at Eden Mill, said: “We are thrilled to bring a taste of St Andrews to the Scottish capital. It’s a really proud moment for us to launch a venue in a city with such a vibrant drinks scene. To have our very own Eden Mill experience in Edinburgh is an honour and an exciting milestone for the brand.
“While our new distillery is being built, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase the versatility our expressions have, through inventive and delicious cocktails. The experiences are really special, interactive and immersive and we can’t wait to see the reaction from Scotland’s wonderful capital.”
LAYING FOUNDATIONS
Eden Mill is currently building a contemporary Scotch Whisky and gin distillery which is due to become operational in 2024. Set to be one of Scotland’s iconic distilleries, it will also be a major St Andrews landmark and a key Scottish tourism attraction.
The brand has been recording progress with work on the exterior of the distillery now complete; a time-lapse video capturing the first stage of the journey is available on the Eden Mill website.
The Eden Mill Experience will open on Saturday 3rd February 2024 and is located in the Heads & Tales Gin Bar at 1A, Rutland Place, EH1 2AD in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End. Offering immersive whisky & gin experiences, bookings are available now via the Eden Mill website.
Musselburgh Racecourse’s first ever £100,000 jumps race will be the centre piece of the £430,000 bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials next weekend which will attract some of the country’s best trainers and horses.
Long established as the premier trials for horses preparing for a tilt at the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree’s Grand National festive, the East Lothian course is in excellent condition for welcoming aspiring champions on 3 and 4 February.
Recently retired Frodon (King George VI Chase), Mighty Thunder (Scottish Grand National) and Greaneteen (Celebration Chase and Tingle Creek) are just three fine examples of Grade 1 champions who featured at previous Scottish Cheltenham Trials festivals.
Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, Bill Farnsworth, said: “Jumps fans will struggle to find a better prospect next weekend than the bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials, which is one of the most ambitious programmes ever staged at Musselburgh.
“The £100,000 Edinburgh National (Saturday) is our richest ever jumps race and at over 4 miles it fits nicely in to the stayers’ programme for trainers eyeing up the Grand National and the Scottish Grand National.”
The same seven fixture card also features the £25,000 bet365 Frodon Novices’ Handicap Chase and the £30,000 bet365 Scottish County Hurdle, with ITV covering the first three races live and going better on Sunday with the first five contests broadcast.
On the second day of the festival Musselburgh debuts a new race, the £80,000 bet365 Scottish Champion Handicap Chase, which is aimed at the top two-and-a-half mile handicap chasers.
Farnsworth added: “We are excited to see the entries for this new race and also on the Sunday we have one of our most popular fixtures, the £40,000 bet365 Scottish Triumph Hurdle, which is Musselburgh’s only Class 1 race and is a proper test for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham.
“This weekend is by far the most valuable fixture yet staged at Musselburgh so we are expecting it will catch the attention of trainers the length and breadth of the country and we anticipate quantity and quality in the entries.”
Gate open on both days at 11.30am and provisional times for the first races are 1.40pm on Saturday and 1.20pm Sunday with the last race on both days at 4.35pm.
Embrace a kaleidoscope of cultures with eight new tours of Europe from small group tour specialist, Rabbie’s. The three- and four-day tours offer round-trip adventures from continental hotspots Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Milan and Rome.The new Rabbie’s Europe tours begin in September 2024 and are available to book now.
Rabbie’s specialises in small group tours guided by storytellers to ensure the journeys and experiences live longer in travellers’ minds. In Europe, guests can look forward to making memories as they sample Mediterranean cuisines, take in Alpine vistas, follow the footsteps of Renaissance masters, practice flamenco and much more.
An ideal addition to any Europe holiday or a rich city break alternative, the new 2024 Europe tours include:
Rabbie’s three-day Masterpieces and Vistas: A Journey Through Tuscany tour
Guests can marvel at the finest collection of Italian Renaissance art and architecture in Florence, sip a glass of vino or two in Tuscany, or sit and watch as the world goes by at one of Italy’s loveliest squares, Piazza del Campo in Siena. Enjoy Orvieto, aquintessential Italian town perched on a volcanic plug, and wander around Pienza, the home of Pecorino Cheese, stunning Renaissance architecture and incredible Tuscan views.
This tour departs from Rome, and costs from €1,109 per adult.
Rabbie’s three-day Flavours of Catalonia tour
On this tour, travellers can explore Girona, a medieval walled city filled with incredible cuisine and stunning architecture, as well as feel the serenity of the old Benedictine priory perched on the slope of a magnificent mountain with a visit to Montserrat Monastery. Enjoy the lively atmosphere of Sitges with its great fresh seafood and impeccable views, then wind down with a visit to the charming coastal town of Cadaqués.
This tour departs from Barcelona, and costs from €919 per adult.
Rabbie’s three-day Summits and Shores: Vesuvius, Pompeii and Amalfi tour
Holidaymakers can stroll through Pompeii, the city that froze in time, and hike to the crater of the infamous Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that reshaped the ancient world. Wonder at the pastel-coloured houses, steep cliffs, azure seas and lemon groves of the glamorous Amalfi Coast before admiring Montecassino Abbey, dramatically perched atop a mountain, the working monastery and pilgrimage site is a centre of art, culture and learning.
This tour departs from Rome, and costs from €889 per adult.
Rabbie’s Europe tours avoid the crowds and let guests enjoy the true soul of the continent. Travelling on mini-coaches with an expert driver and guide, holidaymakers stay in hand-picked travel accommodation, choose the attractions they pay for, support local communities, and go beyond the guidebooks.
Prices are for the tour only and, to offer complete flexibility, do not include flights, accommodation, attractions or dining.
For more information about Rabbie’s small-group tours in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Switzerland and to book, visit www.rabbies.com.
• Lloyds Bank data unearths how different generations and regions spend on making memories
• Non-essential spending on holidays, restaurants and recreation rising
• Non-essential spending increase is slowest in London
• Gen Z holiday spending growing quicker than Millennials and Generation X
Non-essential spending in the UK is on the rise despite the cost-of-living crisis, according to data from Lloyds Bank.
Every region in the UK, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, is spending more on non-essentials like holidays, restaurants and recreational activities but London is the slowest-growing region for this type of spending.
Lloyds Bank has revealed the data following the launch of its new credit card, the World Elite Mastercard®, which enables customers to earn cashback on every card purchase made, alongside enjoying a range of travel benefits.
With millions of customers across the UK, Lloyds Bank touches nearly every community and household in the country. The analysis, based on card spending of the bank’s customers, provides live insight into the state of the nation.
Non-essential purchases – like holidays and restaurant spending – have been in positive growth, year-on-year, since May 2021. In 2023 alone, year-on-year non-essential spending has grown more than 3% every single month, peaking at a 10% increase in January.
The data indicates the trend is largely being driven by wanderlust – particularly amongst the over 65s, who have increased spending in this category by 21% in October. Millennials (people aged 25 to 34) meanwhile, are displaying the slowest growth among generational holiday spenders year-on-year, up 11.8%, while Gen Z consumers (aged 18 to 24) have seen holiday spend grow 16.9% over the last year.
Taking a regional view, consumers in Wales are leading the charge in holiday spending – up by more than a fifth compared to last year (21.6%), while Scottish holidaymakers and those in the South West have increased travel card spending by 19.5% and 19.1% respectively.
Spending from people living in London shows the slowest growth at 12.5%, with those in the North West spending 16.5% more year-on-year.
Overall, year-on-year holiday spending is up 17.1%, restaurant spending is up 6.2% and recreational spending is up 3.3%.
Looking at regional growth around non-essential spending more broadly, you see London showing the slowest growth – up just 1.8% compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, consumers in Yorkshire and the Humber, which is the fastest-growing region, spent more than 6% on non-essentials when compared with the previous year and Scottish consumers also spent over 5% more.
The data also shows that spending on restaurants and going out to socialise account for the biggest non essential spending growth across all generations and all regions across the UK in October.
Marc Lien, Credit Cards Managing Director at Lloyds Bank, said: “Despite understandable concerns around the cost-of-living crisis, people still want to socialise and have a holiday to look forward to.
“We’ve come through a challenging few years, and it’s positive to see that consumer spending is on the rise.
“After listening to our customers it’s clear that spenders up and down the country want more from their credit and debit card providers, and this is more important than ever at times like these – that’s exactly why we launched the Lloyds Bank World Elite Mastercard®, to provide better, more easily accessible rewards.
“The new Lloyds Bank World Elite Mastercard® offers cashback on every card purchase – no matter how big or small – and great benefits for travellers, including the luxury of skipping airport security queues and access to over one thousand airport lounges worldwide.”
Customers using the World Elite Mastercard® will earn 0.5% cashback on each card purchase up to and including £15,000. When total card spending reaches over £15,000, each card purchase will earn 1% cashback, paid into the account each month.
World Elite Mastercard® customers will also receive benefits which add a touch of luxury when travelling:
o Access to over 1,300 airport lounges, including lounges at London Heathrow, Edinburgh International, Orlando International, Dubai International and many more, through Priority Pass. (Owned and operated by Collinson.)
o Cardholders will be able to skip airport security queues and upgrade their airport security experience at participating airports, powered by DragonPass.
o Direct access to Mastercard’s priceless.com experiences and content in the UK and around the world.
World Elite Mastercard® also provides one additional cardholder with all the card benefits at no extra cost to the initial £15 per month.
Cashback earned by the additional cardholder will be added to the main cardholder’s running total, and will be included in the monthly cashback payment made to the account.
The main cardholder will be able to view or manage their World Elite Mastercard® and travel benefits through online banking and the mobile app.
Jet2holidays CEO Steve Heapy: “The best rooms, best hotels and best destinations are booking fast, so book before they are gone!”
Jet2holidays have reported record levels of demand for holidays, with more customers than ever looking to book their well-deserved holidays into the diary during the period known traditionally as ‘peaks’ or the peak holiday booking period.
In the period between Boxing Day and today, the UK’s largest tour operator has seen bookings increase by approximately 150% compared to pre-Christmas, with both Summer 24 and late bookings for this winter proving to be popular.
Ten destinations enjoying popularity include the Canaries, Balearics, Mainland Spain, Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, Italy, Malta and Bulgaria – as customers flock to book a much-needed holiday. On top of great value and customer service, a booking trend noted by Jet2holidays is of customers booking durations outside of the traditional 7-, 10- and 14-night stays.
There is strong demand from families with millions of Free Child Place Holidays still available during the school holidays, and All-Inclusive bookings have also been enjoying strong growth. These types of holidays have seen a surge since Jet2holidays was named a Which? Recommended Provider for both Family Holidays and All-Inclusive Holidays just before Christmas.
This demand follows Jet2holidays launchingan offer from Boxing Day giving customers £50 per person off all holidays. The UK’s largest tour operator also announced that customers with a MyJet2 account can access exclusive savings – with a whopping £60 off per person on all holidays. To book a place in the sunshine and enjoy an exclusive saving at the same time, customers can sign up for a MyJet2 account at https://www.jet2holidays.com/myjet2
The offer means that couples can save £100 if they book via the Jet2holidays website or contact centre (£120 off for MyJet2 members) and a family of four can enjoy £200 off a getaway (£240 off for MyJet2 members).
As well as reporting record levels of demand since Boxing Day, Jet2holidays is gearing up for a busy weekend, with ‘Sunshine Saturday’ expected to see a further surge in holiday bookings. The company has a bigger team than ever ready to assist customers from their dedicated UK call centre, as customers use the first weekend in the New Year to lock in their holidays.
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “This time of year has traditionally been the peak period for holiday bookings, and this is most definitely the case so far this year.
“We are seeing record levels of demand as customers jump at the chance to lock in their holidays, and we are expecting this demand for be even stronger over the coming weekend, both through our website and contact centre, as well as via independent travel agents.
“There is no doubt that our track record of providing industry-leading customer experience is fuelling this demand, with new and existing customers responding to our award-winning proposition.
“With the best rooms, best hotels and best destinations booking so fast, our message to customers is to book before they are gone.”
If you are an independent travel agent and are interested in learning more about how you could benefit from working in partnership with Jet2holidays, please visit the company’s dedicated trade site: trade.jet2holidays.com
RECORD BREAKING YEAR FOR BARRHEAD TRAVEL CAMERON TOLL
Barrhead Travel Cameron Toll is set to close 2023 as its “best ever” trading year as demand for travel continues to soar.
The Glasgow-headquartered travel agency group has celebrated 11 consecutive record-breaking months since January 2023 and has forecast that the month of December will also conclude with record sales. Year to date bookings for the group are up by 26 percent, compared with 2019 sales which, before 2023, was the company’s best trading year.
Barrhead Travel’s performance is bucking the trend on the high street. Despite recent ONS figures indicating that October retail sales fell to the lowest levels since the 2021 lockdowns, the travel group says its retail network is “busier than ever” with sales in-store growing by more than 25 percent. The group attributes its strong retail performance to the continued demand for travel as well as consumers returning to reputable travel agents to book their holidays.
Forward bookings for 2024 are performing particularly well with the agency reporting that customers have been securing their annual holiday plans earlier than usual. Last-minute bookings for winter holidays remain a popular option with around 25 percent of new bookings travelling across the 2023/24 winter period.
Earlier this year, Barrhead Travel confirmed it would pursue further expansion during 2024 with multiple store openings planned for the year ahead. Investment will also be channelled into existing stores for refurbishments, additional full and part time roles, and new technology.
Victoria Dodds, Manager at Barrhead Travel Cameron Toll said:“Over the last year, we prioritised smart and sustainable growth, which has seen us deliver record breaking results. This year, we will have recorded our highest ever sales and we expect to continue that pace in 2024.
“Holidays remain a spending priority for consumers of all ages. The demand for a reputable travel agent is at an all-time high which is why we believe that now is the time to move ahead with further expansion throughout the UK.
“Retail travel is thriving, and communities across the country are benefiting from busy travel agency stores. Our commitment to investing in retail has never wavered and we’re excited to be bringing new jobs and opportunities as our expansion progresses over the coming 12 months.
“We are in the process of reviewing our new locations and we expect to announce details in the first quarter of 2024.”
Barrhead Travel has also announced the addition of a USA specialist division which will be launching in early 2024 as part of its wider plans for organic growth.
