A new tour operator selling holidays in Scotland says it is “very keen” to sell through the trade as it establishes its business.
The Tartan Road began trading in November after it was founded in May. It designs bespoke Scottish packages for “discerning clients”, and specialises in self-drive tours and city breaks.
Co-founder and director Emily Woolard said it had not developed a trade channel for its “limited launch” during Covid, but told Travel Weekly: “We’re very keen to develop partnerships with agencies. We think that UK agents will be an integral part of the recovery.”
Every tour the operator provides is bespoke, “driven by each client’s preferences” though it does have a range of sample itineraries with guide prices, including a recent six-day driving itinerary with stays in Castles.
Woolard said Tartan Road’s website was designed to “spark people’s imagination” and said it had relationships with about 30 accommodation providers in Scotland, “most of which are five star hotels and very top-end B&Bs”.
Packages include transport within Scotland, whether hire car, private chauffeur or public transport, as well as accommodation. Travel to and from Scotland can be arranged for those coming by road or rail from elsewhere in the UK. It does not sell flights.
It will also be looking to agencies outside of the UK to bring in inbound tourists from overseas, as well as for domestic sales.
“Like many businesses, we’re adapting to the current demand and restrictions, so we expect that most of our 2021 guests will come from the UK (including from within Scotland), but longer-term we will be looking to serve the international market as well (Europe and further afield), as that’s where our local knowledge will be especially helpful.”
Woolard added: “The pandemic has completely changed the way people travel, forcing those who’d normally head overseas to stay closer to home and shifting demand from large group tours to single-vehicle, single-household arrangements.
“Very sadly, businesses have struggled and even gone under as a result of these huge and sudden changes. It’s been a really difficult time for the industry. People will still want to travel post-Covid, although we think the desire for more control and the tendency to travel in smaller groups are probably going to persist even once there’s a vaccine.
“Following a sustained period of reluctance to commit, we’re now seeing enquiries for trips right through the end of 2021. Planning wonderful holidays gives our clients something to look forward to once the current restrictions ease.
“Scotland has so much to offer as a holiday destination, and if we can collectively hold onto even a fraction of the recent surge in domestic demand once the international market recovers, it will help the industry as a whole to bounce back more quickly.
“As residents of the Highlands, we’re acutely conscious of the effects of over-tourism and unsustainable travel practices. We’ll be encouraging our clients to travel responsibly and selecting providers of accommodation, activities and experiences that fit with this approach.
“We hope to help spread demand by emphasising the benefits of visiting busier areas outside the peak months, and by promoting less-visited destinations off the beaten track.”