Partner Article

Barrhead Travel reports continued financial growth

Leading independent travel group, Barrhead Travel, has reported another positive financial performance for the year 1 January to 31 December 2014.

The company, which is headquartered in Glasgow, recorded a 27.9 per cent increase in turnover from £192.1m in 2013 to £245.9m in 2014.

Barrhead Travel also reported a 17 per cent increase in revenue and a 14 per cent increase in passenger numbers on the same period the previous year.

Cruise revenue increased by 18 per cent, longhaul revenue by 24 per cent and shorthaul revenue by 13 per cent. The number of holidaymakers booking for 2015 departures also saw a 21 per cent increase.

Despite large-scale investment across its 58 UK locations and extensive online business, the firm remains debt-free.

Company founder Bill Munro – who was recently honoured with the Outstanding Contribution by a Business Leader accolade at the Inspiring City Awards – said to have achieved such positive results in a year that saw many more families opting to stay at home was particularly impressive.

He said: “In the face of challenging conditions across the industry which saw many people choosing to stay in Scotland and experience the excitement of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup, we have enjoyed another very successful year.

“2014 saw us increase revenue across the board and passenger numbers grew significantly due to our continued investment in our stores and our websites.

“We have a very strong workforce and a robust network of teams working in all areas of the business across the UK and we are continually investing in training and development. This has helped us retain the best staff and bring in repeat customers.

“Modern Apprentices are a significant part of the business and investing in their recruitment and training continues to be central to what we do.”

The company, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, has recently invested £1m in two new stores in Edinburgh and will be launching its first Barrhead Travel branded store in the north of England. It also invested £1.5m in the creation of 100 new jobs across Scotland and the north of England earlier this year.

The travel firm will also be extending its direct flights programme, which operates from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, with the addition of a new destination - Genoa. Flights will operate from Glasgow to Genoa for 19 weeks between 29 May and 2 October 2016.

Mr Munro believes that providing help and support to charities across the UK is central in Barrhead’s role as a UK business leader.

He added: “As a successful business with stores across the UK, it’s important for us to provide help and support to disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals and families.

“We are proud to support Barnardo’s, Yorkhill Children’s Charity and the Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice with fundraising events and sponsorship activities through the year.

“Barrhead is UK-focused and our business interests will always be domestic as our roots are in Scotland.

“Our success would not be possible without our customers and we thank them for their continued support.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Claire Amber Young .