Barrhead Travel has added a franchise agency in Northern Ireland.
GKA Travel & Events in Antrim has been established by former independent agency worker Gavyn Andrews.
The new business is drawing on his experience to specialise in group travel, event organisation and leisure trips.
Although initially working from home, Andrews plans to open his first branch in Antrim in the next few months, and is currently looking for premises.
He said: “After working in travel for a number of years, I felt that the next logical step for me was to become my own boss – there were so many things that I felt I could do differently or better, and the only way to do that was to set up on my own, but with the backing of a large, but flexible, organisation.
“After checking many travel companies’ home working and franchise options, Barrhead Travel came out top in what I considered to be the most important areas – technology, support and finance.
“I knew that they already had homeworkers and franchises in Northern Ireland, so I was confident that they were the right choice.”
Laura Hibbert, home working and franchise manager for Glasgow-based Barrhead, which has more than 30 agencies across Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “We felt that we had a similar philosophy, as Gavyn had so many ideas, as well as the passion and attitude required to make his venture a success. That’s what Barrhead Travel was built on, so we felt we were a good fit.”