The owner of Edinburgh-based Jimmy Martin Travel has acquired Frutin Travel, where he began his career more than 40 years ago as the ‘brochure boy’.
The acquisition is part of expansion plans to expand his travel agency’s reach across the city.
Martin worked at Frutin Travel in Leith before setting up Jimmy Martin Travel in Stockbridge 20 years ago.
He describes his career development at Frutin as working from ‘brochure boy to unofficial MD’.
As part of the take-over of Frutin, partner Emma Morrice will join the Jimmy Martin team at its Raeburn Place offices.
Martin said: “Frutin Travel has always been dear to my heart and to be expanding with this acquisition, following 18 months of the most challenging times the travel industry has ever faced, cements our faith in our future business growth.
“Emma brings with her a specialism in last-minute beach holidays which will expand our holiday portfolio for clients.
“She also has a deep knowledge of America, southeast Asia, Vietnam and Cambodia, which will enhance the advice we give to our existing client base who enjoy long-haul travel with an element of adventure.”
Morrice added: “I am delighted to be joining such a proactive and professional agency which is exhibiting strong recovery from the pandemic.
“Having previously worked with Jimmy and Richard from Jimmy Martin Travel, it seems like a natural and seamless move for the resources of the two businesses to come together with Jimmy Martin Travel’s acquisition of Frutin.”
Until last summer, Frutin had been in the Voyager Systems network, which ceased trading in August 2020.
A statement from Jimmy Martin Travel said: “However, as a fully owned company, [Frutin] was able to withdraw from this and run as an independent agency before joining Advantage Managed Services. The collapse of Voyager did not impact on Frutin.”
Pictured: Jimmy Martin (left) welcomes Emma Morrice (second left) to The Jimmy Martin Travel team, along with Lorraine Gersternberger and Richard Sturgeon.