Strathearn residents can now book a holiday when they pick up their stamps thanks to an innovative new scheme launched in Auchterarder.
The town’s sub post office and shop has been selected as one of the first retailers in Scotland to house a mini travel agency.
A computerised travel kiosk has been installed in the post office where customers can browse for information about trips and book holidays.
Each Postcard Travel kiosk has two computers with touch screens and a keyboard and provide exclusive offers targeted at local people.
Postmaster Donald Ramsay told the Herald: “All the holidays are aimed at the local community so, for example, the foreign holidays will fly from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Prestwick.
“And the long weekends will have offers of trips like a two-night stay in Edinburgh or Inverness rather than somewhere like Brighton.
“Customers can come in and use the kiosk to actually book a holiday or they can send an email to the company with their details and what they are looking for and they will then email or phone people once they are back at home later.
“There’s a search facility so you can put in details of the holiday you are looking for and there’s something for everyone, whether you want a week in Butlins or a five-star cruise.”
The scheme is operated by travel firm Stewart Travel Ltd and around 50 kiosks have been installed in sub-post offices around the UK, including four in Scotland.
They will offer a wide range of holidays including weekend breaks, cruises, package holidays and overnight hotel stays.
The company plans to roll out more kiosks in the coming months with the aim of setting up 1000 kiosks throughout the next five years.
Sub post offices owners who install a kiosk receive a share of the travel agents’ commission on booked holidays.
And company bosses say the venture will help sub postmasters grow their businesses and ensure they are able to continue providing vital Post Office services.
Donald added: “‘I’m really delighted to able to offer this service to my customers and am confident the offers available are very competitive.
“I would urge my customers to call in and give the kiosk a try to help me maintain valuable local services.”
Chief executive officer of Stewart Travel, Duncan Wilson said: “We are putting this kiosk exclusively into sub post offices as we want to help them improve their viability so that they can continue to provide the valuable community services they offer.”
