Barrhead Travel, Falkirk

Barrhead Travel, Falkirk
One of TTG’s Top 50 Travel Agencies 2020

Greig Avinou, owner of this franchise store, is one savvy businessman, with turnover continuing to soar annually and the shop packed with customers most days of the year.

Staff training is encouraged, with regular in-store days with suppliers, weekly webinars that include training on compliance and GDPR, as well as educational trips and ship visits. The highly skilled team of 21 are rewarded for their dedication with salaries that are 30% above average, uncapped monthly bonuses, two big team nights out a year and an annual all-expenses-paid team weekend away. For its 10th anniversary celebrations, staff who had been there from the start were thanked with trips or long-haul flights.

New ancillary concierge Lorna joined in January and has already helped boost after-sales business. In-house social media manager Richard trains other Barrhead Travel branches and looks after the store’s two Facebook pages, one of which has more than 50,000 likes and brings in plenty of business. Newly acquired personal video presentations will allow staff to make personalised bon voyage and welcome-home calls.

Customers in this large store are offered everything from hot chocolate to prosecco and malt whisky, while kids are treated to sweets and juices as well as books and toys. VIP clients have one of two lounges to choose from, including a weddings and honeymoons suite with its own bar that’s stocked with champagne.

The team’s dedication to the customer knows no bounds, whether they’re hand-delivering tickers or shovelling snow from customers’ driveways when the Beast from the East hit so they wouldn’t miss their holidays.

Giving back is another priority – the agency sponsors numerous sports clubs and donated more than 100 gifts to Cash for Kids last year. Staff member Gordon hopes to raise more than £13,000 on an upcoming charity bike and a “win a wedding” competition raised almost £35,000 for a local hospice.

barrheadtravel.co.uk