Barrhead Travel launches luxury tour operation

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Barrhead Travel has launched a luxury tour operation and plans to make the product available for independent agents to sell.

Travel Creator offers tailor-made trips for once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as observing giant pandas in China and visiting Machu Picchu in Peru.

Chairman Bill Munro told Travel Weekly: “We have started putting together luxury packages and they are selling extremely well.

“We made the decision to sell the product through other agents, including homeworkers, after they approached us.?We are offering a good level of commission and guarantee not to undercut agents.”

A dedicated team at the company’s call centre in Barrow, Cumbria, is servicing the new brand, together with travel advisers at each of the company’s 45 locations across the UK.

Chief executive Sharon Munro said the company was in the process of recruiting luxury and business travel specialists.

The Scottish agency has also expanded its in-house tour operation – also available to other agents – by chartering more British Airways flights to meet cruise ships.
It now offers flights from Glasgow and Aberdeen to destinations including Palma, Barcelona, Venice and Alicante.

Barrhead Travel said total sales in 2013 were up 24.9% year on year, with the web helping to drive footfall into shops.

The company, which recently completed the acquisition of cruise agency The Holiday Specialists for about £3 million, plans to open a further five shops in Scotland.

They include a luxury travel shop in Glasgow complete with a champagne bar and iPads,?two additional shops in Edinburgh, one in Greenock and one in