SPONSORED CONTENT: Murray Travel opens in the premises that belonged to Beaver Travel on Forres High Street
THE town of Forres once again has a local travel agent to rely on after the grand opening of Murray Travel.
The company, which has moved into the prominent high street premises formerly owned by Beaver Travel, had an open day on June 16, before beginning trading the following day.
The timing of the opening could hardly be better – coming just ahead of a busy summer which will see many in the Highlands and Moray keen to get away after years of on-and-off lockdowns.
Visiting Murray Travel before jetting away will allow local residents the chance to receive honest and valuable advice from an experienced team.
Business owner Scott Murray, who lives in Nairn and comes from Forres, where he attended the Academy, said: “Folk are getting back out and booking holidays, which is encouraging. Nairn and Forres are big areas for us.
“The average age is slightly higher so it’s good that we can offer people security and a service that’s easier to get to, so they don’t have to go to Elgin or Inverness.
“We’ve got a hugely experienced team who have worked in travel for a significant amount of years between them, and that’s something you don’t get online. Having that real-time knowledge is helpful.
“There are no hard sells or high-pressure sales with us, we will work with customers for as long as we need to and will always be honest about what’s right.
“For example, people come to us saying they want to go to the Maldives, but love being active. We’d be honest and say ‘maybe you’d prefer this’. It’s all about getting to know the customer and understanding what they actually want.
“People spend a lot of time searching for holidays and still haven’t seen 90 per cent of what’s out there.”
Booking through Murray Travel also allows for “peace of mind”, Mr Murray added, a point which has only become more pertinent after the travel chaos caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
“If something does go wrong, and last two years have proven that things can definitely go wrong, then we are here to help,” he added.
“We have seen people on hold to tour operators and not getting through, hotel cancellations, hotels not being open and much more. We deal with all of that.
“If something goes wrong it can be a challenge, but if you are booked through us we will take care of anything.
“It gives customers peace of mind, being able to pick up the phone or email and get a response straight away – rather than waiting on an online chat. We deal with it and give you all the information.
“We just ask that you get yourself to the airport, don’t forget your passport!”
Murray Travel formerly traded as Inverness Travel. The Forres shop opening, which comes after the company opened an Elgin shop in December, has been in the works for a year or so.
The company agreed to look after Beaver Travel’s customers after the company ceased trading, and then transferred staff members across after being impressed by the team. The Forres building was bought over and has been completely refurbished to suit the Murray Travel’s more relaxed style.
“We try to make everything comfortable for our customers,” Mr Murray added. “It’s more like a VIP lounge, with a mini bar and coffee machines, comfortable furniture and nice decor.
“Each shop is inspired by a different continent, Inverness is European, Elgin is American and Forres is Asian – so there are lots of nice, bright colours. We are pleased with the location. We looked at a lot of properties but always came back here. It’s nice to open a shop in the town where I grew up.”
Murray Travel specialises in tailor-made holidays but also acts as a booking agent for operators such as Jet2, Kuoni and hundreds more.
The Forres shop is open from 10am-5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Online video consultations are available. The shop can be contacted on 01309 250515 or by emailing forres@murraytravel.co.uk.
