The Glasgow-based Minoan Group has signed an agreement with the National Federation of Sub Postmasters to install computerised travel agency kiosks across the UK’s network of 9,000 sub post offices. The group plans to open at least 1,000 kiosks over the next five years. An initial three-month pilot phase will see up to 50 kiosks installed, mainly in market town-based sub post offices, with a further 50 added every three months.
The kiosks will come under Minoan’s new Postcard Travel brand and be operated through the group’s Stewart Travel subsidiary. Each unmanned kiosk will feature two computer screens, displaying a range of holiday offers. A keyboard and touch screen facility will allow customers to browse the market and choose their holiday in four touches.
Chief Executive Duncan Wilson said: “This gives us the opportunity to have complete national coverage in the UK. The operation will be offer driven and we will work very hard with our suppliers to provide the very best exclusive offers to the very many commercially driven postmasters who will point out the service to their customers and tell them about these deals. The greatest potential for the kiosks is in rural and semi rural areas where there is limited access to the mainstream high street.”
In the past year, Minoan has acquired several travel businesses in Scotland including King World Travel, John Semple Travel, Stewart Travel and the Ski Travel Centre.
