The tours that are a lifeline to independent British businesses
Booking small group tours of rural Britain can help provide crucial support to independent businesses, specialist operator Rabbie’s tells TTG, as the operator marks 30 years of organising trips
To celebrate 30 years of running small group UK tours, Rabbie’s has revealed its positive impact on other small businesses in the UK. The Scottish-founded operator supports an estimated 210 full-time jobs, has facilitated 98,000 overnight stays in the last year and in 2019 it poured more than £16 million into rural accommodation. With a 24% increase in bookings this year compared to last, these figures look set to increase.
The economic boost this staycation market can provide to small businesses, such as family-run B&Bs and village pubs, has never been more valuable. Statistics from the Federation of Small Businesses show that 82,000 small operations closed their doors for good in 2022, while the British Chambers of Commerce reports that UK hospitality firms are the businesses most likely to see a diminished turnover during these challenging times.
Forty per cent of Rabbie’s business comes through the trade, and director of sales and marketing Heather Reekie said:
“These figures are troubling not only due to the hole they leave on a tourist’s itinerary, but local pubs and restaurants also act as core infrastructure for rural communities. One of the last remaining hopes for local hospitality businesses is the high demand for small group regional tours around the UK and Rabbie’s small coach tours are uniquely positioned to support rural communities.”
Rabbie’s uses mini coaches to operate tours that visit villages and off-the-beaten-track destinations that larger coaches simply cannot reach. Reekie adds: “This provides a unique and genuine touring experience while supporting the economy of small communities by spreading the tourist pound beyond the popular landmarks.”
Among the small, independent businesses supported by Rabbie’s is Dalmore Guest House in Inverness, a business relationship that dates back 30 years. Owner Dave Reid says: “Our relationship with Rabbie’s Tours began when its founder (Robin Worsnop) came to our guest house looking for a room and met my mother Molly who was landlady at that time. This was the beginning of a business relationship with Rabbie’s which we are proud to say continues to this day. The guest house is now run by myself and my wife Janette.
“We have been delighted to witness first hand the tremendous success of Rabbie’s over the years and the longevity of our business relationship has enabled us to continually reinvest in our own business. We are very grateful that Rabbie’s has the foresight to use small accommodation providers like ourselves as this gives guests a more personal service.”
Personal service
The Kilted Fox on the Isle of Skye is another accommodation partner of Rabbie’s. Owner Hannah Searle explains how they work together on an almost exclusive basis, which has business and environmental benefits: “Local tourism is the primary income for many residents in Skye, including our own business. It was really important for us to feel like we were working together with Rabbie’s, rather than using the bigger booking platforms where support is lacking.”
“We also aim to be as environmentally friendly as possible, so working with Rabbie’s means we can significantly reduce cars on the road. Previously our guests would travel in up to six cars at any time, now it’s just one bus!”
Maureen Savage from the Sheiling Guesthouse in Ullapool agrees that working with Rabbie’s is great for the local economy: “Rabbie’s guests stay with us for two nights, giving them time to enjoy the lovely village of Ullapool and experience the local restaurants and gift shops.”
“The guests love all the home-made breakfast items at The Sheiling Guesthouse from the home-churned butter, our own recipe granola, to the home-made sausages and a universal favourite is the home-made muffins.”
Book it: The five-day Highland Explorer: Skye and Far North tour starts from £347; rabbies.com
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TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies 2025
Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU
