Celebrating
38 years as an Independent Travel Agency
1984 to 2022
Mike Coles has been in the travel business in one form or another since 1964. From then
until 1984 he
worked for a local shipping company in Teignmouth and boarded over
9,000
ships during those years. Included in his many jobs was booking seaman's tickets
to many parts of Europe and North Africa.
During
1981, after a visit to India to visit his sister, friends started asking him
for special
rate airline tickets. Seeing the potential he founded 'Mike Coles
World-Wide Travel'.
On 1st November 1984 he went full time and employed his
sister, for one day a week,
who was then back in the UK.
The business
expanded and in 1989 Mike and his wife Faith, purchased a retail property
in
Exeter. In the same year the company obtained an
ABTA Licence and became a member
of ABTA - The Association of British Travel Agents. Concetrating on a
niche area of travel and after many years of establishing an excellent
clientele the need for ABTA membership (and the cost imvolved) was no longer
required. We decided to cease membership 30 June 2022. However we continue
to trade acting as 'Agent for ATOL Holders'
Between 1991 and March 2011 the company was a member of the CAA but since
then the
necessity and expense of having an ATOL licence was no longer necessary. But
as per CAA regulations ATOL certificates are issued for bookings. Mike Coles
Travel continue to be members of ABTA.
Although callers in person in recent years have decreased, booking by
phone/e mail continue to be consistent. Regular and new enquiries being
received from all over the UK and abroad. We are agents for many of the well
known tour operators but our speciality is 'tailor made' holidays, flights
and group bookings. Indeed, we are in one of the side streets of Exeter, but
with our unique operation, and of course excellent communication,
geographical situation is rather irrelevant.
Since the
start of the business the company has been very fortunate in having excellent
staff.
The benefits of having a very low staff turnover have been proved
over and over again.
Many of our staff have stayed with us for 6/9/15-20+ years
The company has always endeavoured to keep up to date with the latest
technology and
has been using computers since 1986 when we purchased some of the first Amstrad
PCW's on the market.
With many years in the travel business, personal service and advice is a top
selling point.
With managerial and staff experiences that include staying in
rat infested rooms in the African bush,
to sailing on the the world's biggest cruise ships and 5 star
hotels, personal experiences certainly contributes to close a deal!
A FEW NAMES AMONGST MANY
WE ARE PROUD OF...
SARAH L.
Started in 1986, a key person in establishing the business, with us
for 5
years.
Then moved on to work for a Children's Charity Mission in Canada.
LINDSEY
Started in 1987 with us for 8 years, went on to become a top sales person for AMEX TRAVEL.
DONNA
Started in
1989 a great worker, moved on in the late
nineties.
JANICE
Started in 1991 in one word - a jewel! and brought a sparkle to the
office!... then in August 2020 it was Covid and ...we had to make her
redundant.
KATHY C
Started in 1999 ..excellent...with us for 9 years.
JON
Never employed but since 1986 a great friend of the company and very
supportive in
many ways, now a Dr in computer science.
In 2018 still a great friend.
RUSSELL
Never employed as such but since mid nineties - a friend who helped much
with computers.
FAITH
Mike's
wife - Just about impossible to operate the business without her. A wonderful support.
MIKE
Himself...well I am the privileged one...because without the
support of many including
those above - the thing wouldn't have happened!
Not forgetting a number of others who have been here as part time/work experience.
And by the way you probably will have noticed we don't do an 'all singing
all dancing' website, we keep to basic information, just what is necessary and
relevant. This is part of our ongoing ethos to keep our running costs low
and at the same time offer what we hope is an excellent service. And...you will speak to a human being not a computer, we are
here to
help, advise and assist.
Just a very
small part of the story!
call now
for:
Reservations,
Information, Assistance & Advice
MIKE COLES
WORLDWIDE TRAVEL
phone 01392 219499 / 07944 580 254
e mail
home
300622
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