Barrhead to unveil rebrand for peaks as agency on track for another record year

Barrhead Travel will unveil a rebrand for the January peak season, as the agency reported it is on track for another record-breaking year of sales.

 

Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, managing director of Barrhead Travel Group, told its annual conference in Dubrovnik that the new branding was developed with feedback from staff, customers, its leadership team and partners.

 

“In December, we’ll host an all-employee meeting to take you through our new brand and what it means for our people and our customers,” she told delegates.

 

“This will set us up for an official external launch just in time for January peaks where we’ll be making splash in the market.”

 

The rebranding exercise was announced at the 2024 conference in Ibiza.

 

“We are evolving into a brand that keeps that local warmth and care [and] pairs it with the reach and expertise that comes with being partnered from a global travel network, that is what makes us different,” she said.

 

“We have got the best of both worlds: the friendly, personal service people expect from their local travel agent, combined with the choice and knowledge to make any trip possible; from a chat over the desk at your local store to a holiday on the other side of the world; from local, familiar faces to the possibilities of a global network.”

 

The first quarter of next year will also see the launch of the Barrhead Travel Group app, which will enable customers to manage their booking – from balance payments to downloading their customer documentation, Atol certificates and important updates.

 

“Having an app will open new doors for us when it comes to new client acquisition for our branches and call centres,” Tempest-Mitchell added.

 

She said the agency has been “thriving” in 2025, marking a third consecutive year of strong performance.

 

Furthermore, 2026 is shaping up to be “another productive year” with sales currently up 16% compared to the same time last year, and customer demand is showing no signs of stalling.

 

Tempest-Mitchell said the success was thanks to strategies such as chartering and group commitments, and the addition of new divisions – such as its US division which has allowed it to grow market share in this area by 12% so far this year.

 

Touring and adventure sales are up 28% while the overall cruise business is tracking up by 12%.

 

“Luxury and river are the big winners in cruise this year – tracking up 23% and 41% respectively,” she said.

 

“This growth isn’t accidental: we’ve been assertive about going after opportunities in these areas, securing more exclusive product, delivering enhanced training, and getting our people onboard ships to help boost their knowledge.”

 

Beach holidays remain a “significant” part of the business, growing 6%, and top-volume destinations such as Spain and Turkey remain popular – but Barrhead is seeing significant growth from destinations such as Croatia, Greece, Italy, and Cyprus.

 

Investment in retail stores is another key strategy, and more than 90% of Scottish shops have been refurbished over the past three years.

 

More than £300,000 has been spent this year on the modernisation of five stores, and the newest location in Northern Ireland – in Craigavon’s Rushmere Shopping Centre – opened its doors last week.

 

Tempest-Mitchell pledged to continue growing in Northern Ireland and Scotland but noted: “Our strategy isn’t focused around being the biggest player in the UK high street. Focusing on quality allows us to be far more strategic.”

 

She also noted: “The single most important investment you can make in an organisation is in the teams behind it.”

She hailed the inhouse training academy and a new leadership academy – and said all of its 2024 apprentices had graduated into full-time positions.

 

Furthermore, the agency will launch a Choose Your Path Programme, enabling staff to select a professional development course – from corporate social responsibility to commercial awareness or project management.

 

More than 1,000 different educational courses will be on offer.

 

She also announced next year’s conference will be held in Hotel Dino in Baveno on the shores of Lake Maggiore, from October 1, 2026.