Orkney and Shetland's only package holiday operator has expanded its operations with assistance from the Local Enterprise Company.

The expansion of Orkney and Shetland Touring Company Limited has created five new full-time graduate jobs in Stromness thanks to a £9,300 business development grant from Orkney Enterprise.  The funding package has helped with the purchase of additional computer and office equipment to cater for the increase in staffing levels.

The Orkney and Shetland Touring Company offers holiday packages for groups and private individuals travelling to the Northern Isles.  Under the names NorthLink Holidays and NorthLink Cruise Tours the business also offers a comprehensive service for groups and individuals travelling with NorthLink ferries.

Since the advent of the new cruise standard ferries, interest in the Northern Isles has boomed with bookings both for individuals and groups quadrupling on levels seen in previous years.  Orcadian Kathleen Hogarth, who set up Orkney Guiding Services - providing a multi-lingual guiding service for visitors - in 1996, joined forces with partners Jurgen Scharkosi and Steve Garley to set up the comprehensive tourism service.

Kathleen said: "I was very lucky to have met Jurgen and Steve both of whom are experts in their fields.  Jurgen has over 25 years experience in the cruise and ferry industry while Steve has over 30 years experience in tour operating.

"Together we hope to expand the individual side of the business as well as catering for the existing group market.  We will be helped by an excellent, enthusiastic team led by Jane Hunter who has worked with me since I first started in the tourism business."

Business development manager at Orkney Enterprise, Harvey Stevenson said: "Tourism is one of Orkney's main economic drivers but in an increasingly competitive holiday market, it is important that Orkney and Shetland can stand out from the crowd.

"With the Orkney and Shetland Touring Company offering package holidays to the Northern Isles, it makes the location much more attractive as a holiday destination.  With the business offering such a comprehensive service, it allows tourists to make the most of their visit to the area, which hopefully will encourage repeat visits and an increase in the length of stay."