1972 to 2012... life begins at 40!
In the world of Tour Operating, 40 years is an outstanding achievement. We are proud of our long history but time stands still for no man, or woman, and we remain at the forefront of tour wholesaling, establishing the benchmarks for service, innovation and professionalism. We do, however, remain firmly rooted in the principles of integrity and attention to detail established by our founder, who now enjoys a well earned retirement in the heart of the Herefordshire countryside.
To chart our company heritage is to also chart this history of our founder. In the 1950s, when Norman Allen started his career in tourism, coaches, judged luxurious at the time, took a long time to get anywhere. Hotels used were simple, and few provided rooms with en-suite bathroom. Today, by contrast, coaches that offer a level of comfort worthy of Messrs Rolls and Royce glide along the highways and byways. Hotels used are now mostly 3 star superior or 4 star, with comfort levels to satisfy the demands of discerning travellers.
The story starts in 1953 when, on holiday in Austria, Norman made a rare sighting of a small British tour group. Returning home with boundless enthusiasm, in 1954 he bought an Austin Countryman to offer his first tours. Later he progressed to a classic 8 seat Volkswagen Microbus, one of the very first to be imported into the UK. This small business, Microtouring Ltd, toured to distant destinations such as Yugoslavia and Norway, a country still close to our hearts.
For a part season Norman worked as a guide for Verhenne of Belgium. Later he was a courier, and then Tours Manager, for Warren's Coaches in Sussex, which included arranging trips to Belgium's Wieze Beer Festival, with 15 coaches leaving each weekend.
Norman recalls that, in the 1960s, a 10 day tour to Switzerland was selling for £26, to include lunches. British coaches were then in a different class when compared to those seen on the Continent, and he remembers wide eyes in Lucerne as the locals spied their touring coach... a Ford! Other memories include the bureaucratic licensing system and coaches being craned on board Channel ferries. What a palaver!
In 1972, by now highly regarded as a touring specialist, Norman established Norman Allen Group Travel Advisory Service, in Sussex. He was a pioneer who spotted potential, and still lends his name to the longest established tour wholesaler in the country, Norman Allen Group Travel Ltd (NAGT). Some of his customers from the very early days are still our clients.
By 1975 the company had relocated to Hereford, and initially operated out of a garage with a total staff of 2, Norman and his assistant. When it relocated to offices in central Hereford in 1981, new recruits included his son Simon, who soon moved the company into the new era of computing. It was the early systems developed by him that helped establish the company's long held reputation for innovation and attention to detail.
With Simon now at the helm, Norman returned to the job he enjoyed most, going out on the road visiting clients, many of whom had become firm friends. Further expansion resulted in a move, in 1998, to the company's current freehold premises close to Hereford's historic city centre.
Over the years the company has enjoyed incredible staff loyalty and that has played a significant part in consolidating our reputation for experience and reliable service. Today over two thirds of us have been with the company for more than 10 years, and several for over 20. On the management team, in addition to Simon, Liz Allen, Laurie Kennard, Stuart Nicholls, Corrie Porter, Sarah Hunter and Paul Mallon, Managing Director since 2005, all boast at least a 10 year gong.
We would like to extend a sincere word of thanks to our clients for their support over the past 40 years, and also to our many excellent partners within the travel industry. These include our hoteliers who work with us year in and year out to raise standards and ensure we all have satisfied guests. Thank you.
