The Holiday Travel Group has announced that it will wind down tour operator Holiday Tours, following careful consideration and strategic evaluation.
This means that, with effect from today, Friday, September 8, Holiday Tours will cease trading.
Holiday Tours had offered a wide range of services including tours, accommodation, and travel packages. A statement from the Group said that the global travel industry had faced unprecedented challenges in recent years, and it had had to make difficult decisions to align the business with the changing times.
Deolinda da Silva, GM of the Holiday Travel Group, has had a long history with Holiday Tours and Holiday Travel, having started at Holiday Travel in 1989.
Holiday Tours is a familiar name in the South African travel industry, and one with a great deal of history, with its origins in Gavin Simpson’s Holiday Holdings stable back in the ’70s. In 2011, Holiday Tours and Holiday Travel were sold to Comair to expand the airline’s ancillary tour product. In 2021, as the industry faced a pandemic that had already brought travel to its knees, Holiday Travel was sold out of Comair before the bankruptcy and liquidation of the airline.
Holiday Tours spent the time from July 2022 getting the business into motion and ‘setting up shop’ at its premises at Holiday House in Randburg, with Da Silva at the helm.
“We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our loyal customers, partners, and employees, who have been an integral part of the success of Holiday Tours. Your trust and support have been instrumental in our journey, and we are immensely thankful for your contributions,” said the statement.
“As we embark on the winding-down process, our primary focus remains on ensuring a smooth transition for all stakeholders. Existing bookings and reservations with Holiday Tours will be honoured to the best of our ability, and our dedicated team will continue to provide support and assistance throughout this phase.”
The company said customers and agents with upcoming bookings or enquiries related to Holiday Tours should contact the dedicated support team at info@holidaytours.co.za for personalised assistance and guidance.
“While we say farewell to this brand, we remain open to the possibility of new opportunities and future ventures in the dynamic travel industry,” said the statement.
