Glenton’s bookings boom sparks recruitment drive

Scottish holiday operator Glenton Holidays has seen bookings over the peak summer months soar by more than 100%, thanks to booming demand for tours in the UK. The Glasgow-based coach tour specialist expects to see bookings for the whole of 2009 rise by at least 35% as holidaymakers defy the recession.

The rapid expansion means it is opening a call centre at its Gordon Street premises on 1st November and is recruiting 20 new staff. The call centre will be run by reservations manager Rita Murray, who has been at Glenton for over a year. She used to have a similar role at Zoom Airlines which went into administration in September 2008.

Commercial Director Steve Turbill said: “Despite a slow start to 2009, sales have just got better and better as the year rolled on.

“We’ve been seeing people booking holidays closer to departure, perhaps because they’re careful with their budgets, but they’ve been determined to take a holiday despite the gloomy news.

“Glenton has benefited from the ‘staycation’ trend, as more folk want holidays in the UK. Another factor in our success is the ease of budgeting with our coach tours - most costs are included such as excursions, accommodation and meals, so people know they can afford a Glenton tour.

“We even include insurance in the price of every holiday.”

Earlier this year, Glenton added 17 more departure points across Scotland to cope with rising demand and launched a programme of tours from the North East of England.

All this comes on top of a record-breaking 2008, when it took away more than 30,000 holidaymakers and turnover topped £5.5m.

Operations Director Harriet Stamp said: “Our success means we have to recruit about 20 new members of staff here in Glasgow to help us cope with demand.

“It’s been a very busy summer for us and now we’re looking to take record numbers away over the forthcoming festive period.

“Our summer 2010 collection will also be unveiled at the end of this year so there will be plenty of fresh tours to appeal to our regular customers and win over more new holidaymakers too.”

For more information, visit glentonholidays.com.