Oil and gas industry travel expert Munro’s Travel yesterday said it had enjoyed a “record” financial year after a significant increase in business.
Turnover in the 12 months to the end of last October totalled almost £70million, up by 34% on the previous year’s figure, the company said.
Further expansion of Munro’s activities is now expected to lead to more than 20 new jobs at the Aberdeen-based firm in 2014. Currently it employs 120.
The company declined to reveal profit figures for the year.
As the historic firm is structured as a partnership rather than a limited company, it is not required to file accounts with Companies House despite its size.
Munro’s, which for decades was called Munro’s Tourist Agency, has been a significant player in the travel industry in the Granite City for more than 100 years.
Travel management services to the energy sector now makes up around 95% of its business and it manages travel for more than 250 passengers per day on average, the firm said.
Managing partner Murray Burnett said today: “We had a very satisfactory year. We’ve won contracts with new customers, while existing clients have also been awarding more business to us.”
Mr Burnett said this year’s new employee intake would include eight graduate trainees.
He said: “We started these 12-week programmes five years ago due to a shortage of suitably experienced business-travel consultants in Aberdeen. These academies are a gateway for graduates into the industry and these new high-calibre recruits have also been key to the growth of the firm.”
Mr Burnett said the latest financial year had already got off to a good start.
“The oil and gas industry continues to be very buoyant in the North Sea and internationally and demand for our services continues to grow,” he added.
Meanwhile, preparations are already well ahead at Munro’s for the world’s top oil and gas show.
The annual Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) kicks off in the US oil capital of Houston on May 5. Munro’s and the Press and Journal are organising their regular visit to OTC – a long-existing tie-up which dates back to 1973.
Every year, Munro’s arranges full travel packages for about 400 delegates to the show and 2014 will be no different.
The company was named best Scottish independent business travel agent at the 21st annual Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association travel awards.