For travel advisors looking to expand their Scotland, Britain and Ireland offerings, Best of Scotland Holidays brings more than four decades of experience as an independent Destination Management Company (DMC). Founded in 1983 by the Dewar family, the company specializes in tailor-made itineraries for FITs and small groups, working closely with travel advisors to create trips around their clients’ interests, budgets and preferred pace.

In this Take 5, we caught up with Kirsten Laing, Sales & Marketing Director from Best of Scotland Holidays, to learn more about current travel trends, off-season opportunities and what Canadian travel advisors should know when working with the DMC.

1. For travel advisors who have yet to book with you, can you tell us a bit about Best of Scotland? How long have you been around, what kind of tours do you offer, who is your target demographic, etc?

Best of Scotland Holidays is one of Britain’s longest established independent Destination Management Companies, creating tailor made itineraries for FIT and small groups.

Started in 1983 by the Dewar family, we now have over 40 years’ expertise working with the travel trade planning leisure and golfing vacations in Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales. Our team creates tailor-made itineraries accommodating clients’ interests, transportation preferences, budget and travel time available.

Tailor-made itineraries are suitable for everyone from couples or friends travelling together through to muti-generational family groups. They are a great way to get a programme that works at the right pace and includes your interests, rather than trying to fit into a generic tour that provides only some of what you are looking for.

Cardiff, Wales

2. Have you noticed an uptick in bookings/demand this summer with travellers looking for alternative destinations amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East and extreme heat in parts of Europe? 

We have seen steady and continued demand for the UK & Ireland this summer, and indeed with post covid travel. Although for this year we cannot directly attribute this to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East or extreme temperatures elsewhere in Europe. Our destinations are increasingly appealing to travellers seeking cooler summer conditions.

Along with our beautiful landscapes and a sense of stability, visitors can enjoy our heritage and culture, history and high-quality experiences. Scotland, in particular, offers a refreshing alternative to hotter destinations, with opportunities to explore both well-known highlights and quieter rural areas. 

3. With summer coming to a close, what do you want travel advisors and their clients to know about travel to Britain & the UK during the off-season? 

Our international visitor season is extending into what has traditionally been considered the shoulder season, from March through to November. While cities can remain busy, rural destinations are generally quieter, which many travellers may prefer.

One important consideration is the reduction in daylight hours, particularly later in autumn, as this can affect longer touring days and opportunities to enjoy the scenery. During these months, we recommend staying in a well-located central base and taking shorter day trips to make the most of the available daylight. April and October are particularly good months to consider, offering a quieter experience while generally retaining sufficient daylight for sightseeing and touring.

4. What types of itineraries and experiences are generating the most interest right now? 

As a tailor-made DMC, we have created a wide variety of itineraries over the years, combining the unusual and unexpected with iconic, bucket-list destinations. We understand that first-time visitors naturally want to see the best-known landmarks, but we also aim to introduce hidden gems and work with smaller local operators wherever possible.

Alongside history and heritage, we are seeing growing interest in engaging, authentic experiences that connect visitors with local people. Whether this involves traditional crafts, storytelling or time with a private driver-guide, these personal connections offer a deeper understanding of the places, history and stories that make our countries so distinctive.

Edinburgh Castle

5. How do you work with travel advisors, and what role does the Canadian travel trade play in your business? Are there particular resources, products or support you want Canadian advisors to know about?

Throughout our 40 years in business, we have worked closely with Canadian travel agents and advisors, acting as their trusted DMC partner on the ground and creating tailor-made itineraries for their clients. We understand how important those client relationships are and why advisors need complete confidence in their destination partners. Much of our business comes from repeat travel trade clients and personal recommendations, reflecting the long-term relationships we aim to build.

We have recently enhanced our website to provide advisors with more destination and product information. We also produce a weekly newsletter featuring experiences and itinerary ideas. Designed as a quick two-to-three-minute read, it helps advisors gradually build their knowledge of our destinations and products. Each newsletter includes a blog, with two new articles added to our website every month for those wishing to explore a particular destination, topic or experience in greater depth.

Our long-standing relationships, built over our 40 plus years in business, with trusted suppliers throughout Britain and Ireland also mean that advisors can feel confident their clients will be well looked after throughout their journey.

For more information visit Best of Scotland Holiday’s official website.