Travel Leaders Group acquires major UK travel agent group
Travel Leaders Group confirmed it has acquired leading UK-based independent retailer Barrhead Travel Group.
The sale is for an undisclosed sum and is expected to complete in the first quarter.
"Barrhead is a great addition to our family of brands. It’s an innovative, award-winning travel business that is on a trajectory for continued growth," said Travel Leaders Group CEO Ninan Chacko.
"From its high-touch retail travel superstores to its online presence, Barrhead offers personalized attention, technology tools, highly-trained travel specialists and a wide range of travel products and services.
"Bill and Sharon Munro have devoted their careers to building this extraordinary business. We’re pleased that the Munro family is entrusting the future of Barrhead, its employees, agents and customers to our organization. We’re excited about this chance to expand our presence in Scotland and the UK overall and the opportunities this affords both companies."
Glasgow-based Barrhead is one of UK’s biggest retail travel firms, with more than 75 locations, mostly in Scotland.
Barrhead will retain its brand identity within the Travel Leaders UK portfolio. Chief executive Sharon Munro will continue to manage the business.
Her father and Barrhead founder, Bill Munro, will serve in a strategic advisory role as chairman of the Barrhead division within Travel Leaders Group
No major changes in operations are anticipated, they said.
"Joining with Travel Leaders Group will give us the resources to expand into additional markets, access to new technology and the ability to innovate," said Sharon Munro.
"This agreement creates exciting new prospects for both our enterprises."
Bill Munro added: "This is great news for our staff, our customers and our suppliers."
Once the transaction is finalized, Travel Leaders’ UK portfolio will include Barrhead, Colletts Travel, Protravel International UK and Tzell UK.
Travel Leaders’ brand portfolio now includes All Aboard Travel, CruiseDeals, Cruise Specialists, Nexion, Protravel International, SinglesCruise and Tzell Travel Group.
It generates sales volumes of nearly $21 billion a year from more than 40.000 travel agents across its brands.
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