Trafalgar Tours
Encyclopedia
Trafalgar is a travel company that provides guided holidays to worldwide destinations. Trafalgar is owned by The Travel Corporation
which has been in business since 1947 including Insight Vacations and Contiki Tours
. Trafalgar champions experienced Tour Directors, quality hotels, modern coaches and authentic cultural experiences, and offers over 200 worldwide itineraries.
Trafalgar has head offices in Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, South Africa, UK and USA.
1949 - IRS offers trips to the London Palladium to see Harpo Marx. The cost includes return coach travel and a reserved seat at the show for 12 shillings. IRS moves offices to 139 Grand Buildings in Trafalgar Square.
1957 - The leisure side of the business gains popularity, Mr. Nunn and Mr. Appelby sell some of their shares to the Overseas Visitors Club in London and to Mosenthal, a South African conglomerate.
1958 - IRS starts operating European Coach Tours such as the 21-day "Young Commonwealth Special". The Overseas Visitors Club (OVC) moves to Earls Court.
1959 - The company changes its name to Trafalgar.
1960's - At the height of the Cold War, Trafalgar organises tours to Moscow despite the difficulty in arranging visas.
1961 - Trafalgar opens its first overseas office in the heart of Johannesburg, South Africa.
1962 - Trafalgar charters Edinburgh Castle, a 1600 passenger ship, for a 14-day voyage from Cape Town to Southampton. The charter costs £28, and the ship is double booked within a week. Several more charters follow over the next 3 years.
1964 - Trafalgar expands into new areas and the original partners sell their shares to Nick Tarsh. Mr. Tarsh sells Tan Travel and disbands the overseas sales offices.
1966 - Rhodesia declares independence and Trafalgar loses money when charter flights between London and Salisbury come to an end. Mr. Tarsh flies to South Africa and introduces the concept of newspaper tours based on travel offers to readers. Mr. Tarsh revives the Union Castle Line charters between Cape Town and Southampton.
1967 - Newspaper tours are introduced to Australia. This market replaces South Africa as Trafalgar's most productive.
1970s - The Tollman family becomes involved with Trafalgar.
1997 - New programs offer tours to a wider variety of destinations including North America, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, South Africa and China.
2004 - Trafalgar expands its European tours, offering river cruises.
2010 - The online community on Trafalgar.com and travel blog Trafalgarblog.com is launched.
The Travel Corporation
The Travel Corporation , sometimes known as TravCorp, is a leading Travel and Leisure Group operating over 60 countries with 35 offices around the world. As a Group it comprises over two dozen well established and respected travel brands. These brands are all independently managed and comprise tour...
which has been in business since 1947 including Insight Vacations and Contiki Tours
Contiki Tours
Contiki Tours is a Travel Corporation-operated coach tour company operating in Europe, Russia, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Asia...
. Trafalgar champions experienced Tour Directors, quality hotels, modern coaches and authentic cultural experiences, and offers over 200 worldwide itineraries.
Trafalgar has head offices in Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, South Africa, UK and USA.
History
1947 - Bill Nunn, Trafalgar's founder, sets up Industrial Recreational Services (IRS), organising group travel and entertainment for industry.1949 - IRS offers trips to the London Palladium to see Harpo Marx. The cost includes return coach travel and a reserved seat at the show for 12 shillings. IRS moves offices to 139 Grand Buildings in Trafalgar Square.
1957 - The leisure side of the business gains popularity, Mr. Nunn and Mr. Appelby sell some of their shares to the Overseas Visitors Club in London and to Mosenthal, a South African conglomerate.
1958 - IRS starts operating European Coach Tours such as the 21-day "Young Commonwealth Special". The Overseas Visitors Club (OVC) moves to Earls Court.
1959 - The company changes its name to Trafalgar.
1960's - At the height of the Cold War, Trafalgar organises tours to Moscow despite the difficulty in arranging visas.
1961 - Trafalgar opens its first overseas office in the heart of Johannesburg, South Africa.
1962 - Trafalgar charters Edinburgh Castle, a 1600 passenger ship, for a 14-day voyage from Cape Town to Southampton. The charter costs £28, and the ship is double booked within a week. Several more charters follow over the next 3 years.
1964 - Trafalgar expands into new areas and the original partners sell their shares to Nick Tarsh. Mr. Tarsh sells Tan Travel and disbands the overseas sales offices.
1966 - Rhodesia declares independence and Trafalgar loses money when charter flights between London and Salisbury come to an end. Mr. Tarsh flies to South Africa and introduces the concept of newspaper tours based on travel offers to readers. Mr. Tarsh revives the Union Castle Line charters between Cape Town and Southampton.
1967 - Newspaper tours are introduced to Australia. This market replaces South Africa as Trafalgar's most productive.
1970s - The Tollman family becomes involved with Trafalgar.
1997 - New programs offer tours to a wider variety of destinations including North America, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, South Africa and China.
2004 - Trafalgar expands its European tours, offering river cruises.
2010 - The online community on Trafalgar.com and travel blog Trafalgarblog.com is launched.