Moray's Beaver Travel taken over by family-owned business Inverness Travel

MORAY'S Beaver Travel has been taken over by an Inverness-based holiday firm.

Three staff members from Beaver Travel's Elgin and Forres branches will join the team at Inverness Travel, which has also taken over the operations of Inverness-based Alba Travel.

Beaver Travel, which built up strong community links in its 47 years' trading, had outlets in both Elgin's South Street and Forres High Street, with a popular café forming part of the Elgin branch.

Family-owned Inverness Travel announced its expansion across the Highlands and Moray today in a move that is expected to quadruple its business.

Inverness Travel was established in 2014 by husband-and-wife team Scott and Sarah Murray.

The takeover of the two well-known local agents will also see two additional members of staff hired for newly-created support roles.

Inverness Travel says it is committed to maintaining a presence in Elgin and Forres, and is looking for premises to launch new travel boutiques in the coming months.

Mr Murray, managing director of Inverness Travel, said: "Alba Travel and Beaver Travel are trusted names in the Highlands and Moray, and we are committed to delivering the same high quality of service to the communities they have served for over 40 years.

"A big part of that commitment is ensuring that staff are able to continue to work in the communities where they have built lasting relationships with holidaymakers over the years.

"As a business, it is incredibly important to us that we are able to create and retain jobs across the Highlands and Moray – and ensure that travellers receive the continuity of service they require for stress-free travel.

"The last 12 months have been unprecedented in the travel industry, but we are confident that as restrictions are lifted there will be a resurgence of people looking to travel abroad.

"We are already seeing signs of hopeful travellers making plans for the latter half of 2021 and into next year."

In Inverness, staff will relocate to Inverness Travel’s stylish new travel boutique on Strothers Lane.

Mr Murray, who grew up in Forres, is looking forward to bringing Inverness Travel’s services to his home town.

He said: "For the last seven years, we have prided ourselves in providing trustworthy and reliable advice to those looking to travel abroad in Inverness.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to bring our expertise to Elgin and Forres, to help even more holidaymakers book their dream trips."

Widely respected Beaver Travel announced in July last year that it was shedding 19 jobs across its workforce – forced by the impact of Brexit and coronavirus.

Bookings have continued to be remotely supported by a retained core team of specialists.

Beaver Travel became part of the business travel specialist Clyde Group in 2017, which already owned Alba, its main rival.

Mr and Mrs Murray have also co-founded Wanderluxe, a home-working agency based in Sawbridgeworth, near London. Mr Murray is also managing director of Highland hospitality group Cru Holdings.

The Inverness Travel team has won numerous awards for customer service and innovative business practices.