John Bennett, Managing Director of Colchester Travel retired from National Westminster Bank in 1990 after 36 years with the bank. For five years he ran a Banking Training Consultancy delivering training to bankers following the collapse of the command economies in Eastern and Central Europe. After travelling widely in the Middle East during the 60s and 70s he realised there was a need for Independent Travel Consultancies who would be able to give professional and informed advice from the widest range of Tour Operators rather than selling in-house produced holidays the integrated travel agency chains; consequently Colchester Travel was born in 1995. In 1997 Colchester Travel relaunched an agency in West Mersea which became the preferred travel agents for Ladies Golf teams taking part in the Solheim and Curtis Cups held in the USA.
Keith Herlock opened
Mayflower Travel at 70, High Street, Billericay in June 1987 at which time
he had spent 20 years in the travel industry. The image of the business was
very much that of the local high street independent travel agent offering a
personal service with the ability to book all travel suppliers and not be
restricted to in-house products. The regular client base quickly grew and
many customers would often call in for a cup of coffee and a chat. One of
the main features of the business is that personal tailored made itineraries
were made to suit the individual requirements of the customers.
The two businesses have similar profiles with a group of long standing clients who expect time to be spent searching for the most appropriate holidays and, in an increasing number of instances, tailor making the flights and accommodation to meet individual needs. It was, therefore, natural that the two should come together in 2008 to achieve economies of scale but, more importantly, to share expertise on world wide destinations.
The team at Colchester Travel has travelled widely and know the ins and outs of Australia and New Zealand as well as South Africa and America. One member spent a year backpacking and working in Australia and the Far East. Another, long experienced member, lives for her holidays – a different place each time! Last year over 2000 clients and their children were sent to see the “Real Santa Claus” in Lapland. The cruise business has expanded rapidly over the past few years and now school trips are organised all of which are bonded under the protection of ATOL licences as well as ABTA membership.
The move from end of High
Street, to The Walk (next to Waitrose) was a protracted affair, not made
easy by the bureaucracy involved in obtaining a new lease. However the
company was determined to ensure that Billericay could still have an
Independent Agency and persisted! The new premises opened in September and
have been fitted out in a similar fashion to the Colchester Office with
accent on being light and airy with access to the latest technology – this
includes an interactive wall mounted TV screen which can show information
about a range of popular destinations.
Billericay Luxury Travel
consisting of Lorna Tissier, Manager, Ange Heapey, Senior Travel Consultant
and Keith Herlock, Senior Travel Consultant will continue to provide the
personal care and attention clients have come to expect. As part of the
information process they are holding an Australia and New Zealand evening at
the Ivory Rooms on Thursday 22nd January. Invitations can be
obtained from the shop.