Traveltek booking tech firm to create 200 jobs

Traveltek, the East Kilbride-based provider of booking systems for the travel sector, has unveiled plans to create 200 jobs amid an international expansion drive.

Kenny Picken, founder and managing director of Traveltek

The group, founded in 1995 by managing director Kenny Picken, is also aiming to deliver a five-fold increase in turnover to £25 million as it opens three new overseas offices.

Traveltek, which counts the likes of Barrhead Travel, Emirates, Flight Centre and Trailfinders among its clients, currently employs almost 100 people and generates turnover of £4.3m.

The majority of its new recruits will be based at its East Kilbride headquarters, with other roles to be create at new offices in Dubai, Sao Paulo and Shanghai. It already has an overseas presence in Miami, Sydney and a development centre in Hyderabad, India.

Picken said: “We have a strong position as the booking systems supplier of choice for many of the major travel trade businesses. There is a significant opportunity to leverage that position and develop Traveltek into a major global technology business.”

He added that the firm would soon be kicking off a fundraising drive, aimed at the angel, private equity and venture capital communities, to provide the financial firepower for Traveltek’s expansion.

“Growth finance will enable us to accelerate that process, build a larger global footprint and create a large number of high quality technology jobs, many of which will be in Scotland,” Picken said.

“The right partner will share our vision and the funding will help us invest in the latest technology, new infrastructure, business systems, business development and new talent.”