Timberbush Tours has continued its expansion drive with the launch of a chauffeur-driven car service, Balmoral Executive Travel. It is thanks to a £1 million investment in premises and new luxury cars.
Mercedes-Benz makes up the Balmoral Executive Travel fleet, which will work on behalf of business and leisure customers. Operations Manager of the new undertaking is Ben Voy (pictured), son of Timberbush Tours’ owners Gary and June Voy.
Market demand has led to the diversification by Timberbush. The Edinburgh-based operator says that over recent years, it has seen “a marked increase in global corporate organisations, tour operators, and sporting and leisure businesses seeking to privately hire coaches for individual VIP clients and small groups.”
Balmoral Executive Travel will work with Timberbush Tours to leverage existing corporate client relationships, such as through golf and whisky tourism partnerships, and hotel and concierge networks.
In the past 12 months, Timberbush has made significant investment in its coach operation, including a workshop and valeting facilities. Those will ensure that Balmoral Executive Travel cars are “well maintained and in pristine condition for its clientele,” the business says.
Ben Voy has spent a year working with Timberbush Tours’ operations and private hire teams in preparation for the new venture. Up to 12 chauffeurs will be recruited in the first phase of the Balmoral Executive Travel launch, in addition to an expanded private hire reservations team.
Speaking about the growth, Mr Voy Jr says: “There are some very clear operational synergies and opportunities between both brands, but Balmoral Executive Travel has been borne out of client demand, and it is very much seen as a natural extension to what my parents started over 25 years ago.
“Our aim is ensuring that this new business is the flagship service for private and personalised executive travel in Scotland and [that it] mirrors the success of our parent company.”
