Thomson Travel Group: From Humble Beginnings to Global Expansion

The Thomson Travel Group has a fascinating history that spans over 80 years. Founded in 1922 by a British entrepreneur named Colledge, the company started as a small travel agency in Luton.

The first Thomson travel brochure was published in 1933, showcasing the company's early focus on European holidays. The brochures quickly gained popularity, and by the 1950s, Thomson was one of the largest travel agencies in the UK.

In the 1960s, Thomson began to expand its operations, opening its first overseas office in Spain. This marked the beginning of the company's global expansion, which would eventually take it to over 30 countries.

Thomson's commitment to innovation was evident in its early days, with the introduction of package holidays in the 1950s. This concept revolutionized the way people traveled, making it more affordable and accessible to the masses.

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The Thomson Travel Group was formed in 1965 after the Thomson Corporation of Canada acquired four independent UK tour operators: Gaytours, Luxitours, Riviera, and Skytours.

Skytours came with its own airline, Britannia Airways, which was founded in 1961 and played a significant role in the success of the newly formed Thomson Travel Group.

The business was re-launched as "Thomson Holidays" in 1970 under the leadership of Bryan Llewellyn as managing director.

Thomson Holidays were the first recorded users of Business-to-Business online shopping in 1981.

Thomson Holidays and its sister company Skytours became two of the UK's largest and most successful package tour operators during the 1980s.

In 1972, Thomson acquired Lunn Poly, a small chain of agents, which Thomson grew to become the largest chain of travel agents in the United Kingdom.

The business was floated on the London Stock Exchange with a valuation of £1.7 billion as Thomson Travel in May 1998.

Thomson Travel was acquired by Preussag AG in 2000, which later re-named as TUI AG in 2002, and retained the Thomson brand until it was retired completely in 2017.

Thomson Holidays offered two weeks in the sun flying from Manchester (with hotel and board included) for under £50 per person in the early 1970s.

Britannia Airways was one of the first holiday airlines to sell 'seat only' fares on its package holiday routes, which helped the airline become one of Europe's largest and most successful charter carriers.

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The Thomson Founders' Club was a membership program offered to new shareholders when Thomson Travel was floated in 1998. Members received a 10% discount on Thomson holidays, but membership was conditional on retaining a minimum of 294 shares.

The club was later made permanent and unconditional after Thomson Travel was acquired by Preussag. However, the club was abruptly abolished on 31 January 2008 without notice or compensation to its members.

Here are some key dates related to the Thomson Founders' Club:

The Thomson Founders' Club was a special perk for shareholders of Thomson Travel. Membership offered a 10% discount on Thomson holidays.

The club was made available to new shareholders in 1998, but with a condition - they had to hold a minimum of 294 shares. This requirement was later waived when Thomson Travel was acquired by Preussag.

A notable event in the history of the Founders' Club was its abolition in 2008. On January 31st of that year, the club was discontinued without notice or compensation to its members.

Here are some key facts about the Thomson Founders' Club:

As you explore the Founders' Club and its notable events, you'll notice that the club's history is marked by significant milestones. Adiós, a notable event in the club's history, was held in 2018.

The Adiós event was a farewell party for the club's founding members. It was a bittersweet occasion, as the members were saying goodbye to their time in the club.

The event was attended by over 50 people, including some of the club's most dedicated members. The atmosphere was lively, with music, food, and plenty of reminiscing about the club's history.

Despite the sadness of the occasion, the Adiós event was a celebration of the club's accomplishments and the friendships that had been formed. It marked the end of an era, but also paved the way for new beginnings.

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Britannia Airways played a pivotal role in the success of the Thomson Travel Group, and in 1970 the business was re-launched as "Thomson Holidays".

The airline was a game-changer, offering two weeks in the sun flying from Manchester (with hotel and board included) for under £50 per person in the early 1970s.

By the 1980s, Britannia Airways had become one of Europe's largest and most successful charter carriers, thanks in part to its innovative "seat only" fares on package holiday routes.

This pioneering approach helped Thomson Holidays and sister company Skytours become two of the UK's largest and most successful package tour operators of the time.

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The Thomson Travel Group's growth and acquisitions are a fascinating story. The company was floated on the London Stock Exchange in May 1998 with a valuation of 1.7 billion pounds.

Preussag AG, a German-owned conglomerate, acquired the Thomson Travel Group in 2000. This marked a significant milestone in the company's history, as it began to expand its reach across Europe.

Preussag AG had already started its involvement in travel and tourism in 1997 with the acquisition of Hapag-Lloyd, one of Germany's leading tourism companies.

The Thomson Travel Group's growth in the 1980s was a significant milestone in the company's history. In May 1998, the Thomson Travel Group was floated on the London Stock Exchange with a valuation of 1.7 billion pounds.

This major move marked a new era of expansion for the company. The Thomson Travel Group was floated on the London Stock Exchange in May 1998 with a valuation of 1.7 billion pounds.

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In 2000, the Thomson Travel Group was acquired by Preussag AG, a German-owned industrial and transportation conglomerate based in Berlin.

Preussag AG had a long history, dating back over 75 years, and its involvement in travel and tourism began in 1997 with the acquisition of Hapag-Lloyd, one of Germany's leading tourism companies.

The company went on to acquire several leading European tourism businesses, including Fritidsresor and Nouvelles Frontières, as well as having involvements in hotel groups RIU and Magic Life.

This marked the beginning of a significant expansion in the travel industry for Preussag AG, setting the stage for its future mergers and acquisitions.

Thomson Travel Group was founded in 1965 by a group of entrepreneurs who had a passion for travel.

The first Thomson holiday was sold in 1965, marking the beginning of the company's journey in the travel industry.

The group's early success was largely due to its innovative approach to package holidays, which included flights, accommodation, and transfers all in one convenient package.

Thomson's first destination was Greece, which quickly became a popular choice for British holidaymakers.

From its humble beginnings, Thomson Travel Group expanded rapidly, opening new destinations and offices across the UK and abroad.

Thomson, one of the UK's leading tour operators, was founded in 1965 as part of the Thomson Travel Group following the union of three separate package holiday companies and Britannia Airways.

Thomson grew to become the market leader in the package holiday market in less than 10 years, operating with approximately 30% of the UK package holiday market share.

In 2000, Thomson became part of the TUI AG Group, which played a significant role in shaping the company's future.

The union with Lunn Poly, the UK's largest chain of travel agents, helped establish a strong high street presence for Thomson, with Lunn Poly eventually being re-branded under the Thomson banner in 2004.

Thomsonfly, the new name for the former Britannia Airways brand, was introduced in 2004 and received acclaim for its time-keeping and overall service.

In 2008, Thomson merged with First Choice, further expanding its reach in the package holiday market.

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Thomson holidays offer fantastic hotels and destinations for every kind of traveller.

With 11 brands under their belt, including TUI Family Life, Scene, and A La Carte, you're sure to find something to suit your holiday style.

Whether you're a fan of luxury or prefer a family-friendly resort, Thomson has a wide selection of getaways for all types of travellers.

You can choose your duration too, with options ranging from 9 to 12-night getaways, so you can pick the perfect length for your break.

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