Small group operator Rabbie’s Tours has gained a King’s Award for Enterprise for international trade.
The award recognises the Edinburgh-based company’s outstanding short-term growth in overseas sales over the past three years.
Rabbie’s overseas turnover grew by 3,155%, with export sales increasing from 13% to 80% of total revenue over the three-year period recognised by the award,
The most significant international markets, the US, Canada, Australia, and Germany, now represent nearly three-quarters of the company’s overseas customer base.
The success has been led by chief executive Hazel Rickett, who began her career at Rabbie’s as one of the company’s first driver-guides.
She now heads the leadership team, including marketing and sales director Heather Rennie McGill, who has helped grow the company’s international reach and global strategy.
Rabbie’s was established by Robin Worsnop as a one-person operation in 1993
It now runs small group coach tours of up to 16 passengers across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.
The enterprise award recognition follows Rabbie’s gaining B Corp certification last year.
Rickett said: “I feel incredibly lucky to work with such an amazing team – passionate, driven, and committed to delivering outstanding customer experiences. Honestly, they motivate me every day. We all love travel, we love our country, and we love showing it off.
“For me, life’s about being happy and making people happy. When I see what our team does to deliver fantastic customer experiences, making customers happy, and I see the growth and development of our team, it’s hugely rewarding. I think having a happy team is the secret to success.
“Being able to operate sustainably is incredibly important. The very thing we are selling, we must sustain. It is hugely important to Rabbie’s and me that we do this and can pass it on to future generations.”
Rennie McGill added: “This award is a testament to what we’ve achieved over the past few years, rebuilding post-Covid. I’ve met so many great people working here – it feels like we’ve all got each other’s back and the customer at heart, which has been hugely important to this success.
“Rabbie’s plays a really important role in the wider tourism economy. We’re able to take visitors from cities like Edinburgh to lesser-known locations, helping to support small businesses. This motivates us and gives us a strong sense of responsibility to help rebuild the tourism industry.”
