A Fife-based firm specialising in luxury travel experiences throughout Scotland is seeing an uptick in enquiries as high-end domestic and international clients look beyond the current pandemic restrictions.
Founded in 2013, MacLean & Bruce delivers bespoke itineraries, mainly focussed on premium whisky events led by author and well-known whisky expert Charles MacLean.
The schedules, compiled with a high level of detail, also include a range of other activities including shooting, golf, spa treatments and shopping, while accommodation is generally exclusive-use properties which come with a chef and butler.
However, Covid-19 restrictions brought a number of cancellations.
Director, Vikki Bruce, said: “Our main market is China and we had bookings from Chinese clients throughout February, March and April, which of course were cancelled, so we felt the economic impact of the pandemic earlier than most UK tourism businesses.
Looking to the future, Ms Bruce said it will take time for the market to recover.
She said: “Hopefully, we will see some domestic travel allowed by the end of the summer, but we have to accept we have lost a full year of not only trade, but also company growth and development.”
The company has been in discussion with a number of UK-based outbound operators in the anticipation that once restrictions are lifted, their clients will want to enjoy a break, with Scotland being the destination of choice for many.
“The level of interest we have from agents, both domestic and overseas, is really encouraging, and once travel within the UK is allowed we anticipate an immediate spike in enquiries.
“We are also seeing more enquiries from private groups, but as yet, nobody is able to put a date on their travel plans, which is a strange and frustrating situation.”
“Whatever the future brings, we’re ready to embrace it, both the challenges and the opportunities.”
jimillar@thecourier.co.uk