Fort Kinnaird locals, Mr and Mrs Cranston, have won £1,000 to spend on their holiday to Portugal next year with Barrhead Travel.

The UK-wide travel agency ran the competition as a gesture to give back to holidaymakers who had postponed their travel plans due to the pandemic. With travel accessible to enjoy once again, four customers were drawn from company-wide bookings to reignite that holiday buzz.

The win came as a delight to the Edinburgh couple who had postponed their getaway and are looking forward to “living life to the fullest” in 2022.

The competition winners expressed the win as a “massive pick-me-up” after the past couple of years, and are determined that next year, their holiday will be “extra special.”

The competition winner’s comments are reflective of ABTA’s recent report that states 49% of people feel their holiday is more important to them than ever before due to previous limited opportunities to travel.

Barrhead Travel’s booking trends echo this sentiment with bucket list trips and multigenerational holidays being popular choices for Edinburgh locals. Store Manager, Michelle Thomson, said:

“Holidays are close to everyone’s hearts, and after a rough couple of years, everyone deserves one! Many of our customers, old and new, are paying special attention to their next booking – they want to savour the experience and make it one to remember.

“We’re noticing that multi-generational family holidays are on the rise to destinations such as Orlando, Tenerife and Dubai – a clear indication that families are longing to spend real time together reconnecting.

“Customers are looking to us to take care of their travel plans. They are ready to experience life to the fullest but need reassurance that their money is protected, and that they have a professional at the end of the phone to give up-to-date advice.”

ABTA’s most recent report also states that people are 30% more likely to book with a travel professional now than before the pandemic – up from 20% more likely this time last year. Nearly half (47%) cite their guidance with Coronavirus travel requirements as the main reason, followed by the security of a package holiday (46%).

The Barrhead Travel team based in the Fort Kinnaird Retail Park are available for up-to-date advice on the current travel landscape – call 0131 322 6422 for more information.