HAGGiS Adventures and Highland Explorer Tours – Radically different coach touring
Operation
The company’s offices in High Street on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The offices will shortly be moved but the ground floor drop in centre will be retained
Being a very modern minded company, Radical Travel Group embrace all the modern social media and a large level of their bookings come via the internet. In charge of the tour administration side of the business is Jackie Goldsmith. The company has a satellite office in London but the main offices are at 60 High Street on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. However, the main offices will shortly move out of the centre of Edinburgh to new larger premises in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh. The sales office at 60 High Street will be retained, as will the link with the Edinburgh Visitor Information Centre on Princes Street. These two offices are important because they handle the large volume of bookings that come from those who come to Scotland but who haven’t pre-planned what they are going to do when they get there. ‘They’re an essential element in our business,’ says Pete, ‘especially the day trip business.’
Environment
Radical Travel, like The Travel Corporation, has a high social commitment particularly to the environment. They are partners in the Travel Corporation’s TreadRight programme. This is a not for profit company that works to ensure that the environment and communities they visit remain vibrant for future generations. To date TTC has donated more than US$1.5m to projects worldwide through the TreadRight programme.
Independently Radical also has its own Eco Scheme where customers are invited to make a £2 donation which goes to helping to preserve Scotland’s natural wildlife, environment and unique cultures. The company matches every £1 donated and the money is channelled to two charities the John Muir Trust and Trees for Life. John Muir Trust is involved with maintaining Scotland’s wild landscape whilst Trees for Life is engaged in restoring 600 square miles of the Caledonian Forest.
Conclusion
I was very impressed by Radical Travel Group and their very different approach to coach touring. They clearly know their market well and are constantly adapting to stay out in front. The atmosphere given off is that it is all very casual but it isn’t; behind that façade are a team of people who are working very hard to maintain the company’s place in the market. Detailed research, constant monitoring and maintenance of standards plus regular top quality training ensure that this company will continue to go from strength to strength.
I’m not quite sure how I would react to my coach tour turning up driven by Dougie sporting his kilt and William Wallace beard but obviously the customers love it and after all that is what it is all about – happy customers.
By Rob Orchard