Caledonian Leisure has continued its growth trajectory with the purchase of Glasgow-based Tartan Travel, further strengthening the buyer’s presence in Scotland.
The deal adds departure points in Bathgate, Edinburgh and Halbeath and enables Caledonian customers in Scotland to “enjoy an even greater range of short break and holiday options across the UK, Ireland and Europe,” the business says.
No coaches are included in the deal. While Tartan Travel did utilise suitably branded vehicles for its breaks, they were hired from third party operators.
Purchase of Tartan Travel by Caledonian Leisure forms part of a wider partnership with hotel and tour operator Blackpool Promotions. It is the UK’s largest provider of breaks solely to Blackpool and owns four hotels in the town.
The collaboration will see Caledonian Leisure promote and sell packages including Blackpool Promotions’ hotels, while that business will support Caledonian package promotions.
Speaking about the purchase, Caledonian Leisure Managing Director Graham Rogers says: “We are delighted that Tartan Travel has joined the Caledonian Leisure family, and we look forward to welcoming its customers on one of our short breaks and holidays.
“We are also pleased to announce our partnership with Blackpool Promotions, a specialist tour operator to Blackpool, as we look to increase our offering in the UK’s biggest seaside resort. Blackpool has always been one of our best-selling UK destinations, with high levels of packaged sales through both our Caledonian Travel and UKBreakaways brands.”
Adds Blackpool Promotions Operations Director John Westhead: “This is the first time we have ever partnered with another holiday operator, but one that we are extremely excited about.
“With both companies being leading operators of breaks to Blackpool, and Caledonian’s performance in the past couple of years being nothing short of extraordinary, we believe that joining forces between our two reputable brands will deliver exceptional products and packages to our growing audiences to mutual benefit.”
