Though established back in 1947, Trafalgar Tours has quickly become the leading innovator in global tours of the future. Its “Be My Guest” program became known as one of the biggest transformations in touring and nine out of 10 itineraries for Trafalgar’s family tours were sold out in 2010.
Who is the man behind the tour company’s current momentum? He’s Chief Executive Officer Gavin B. Tollman, a certified travel counselor who worked his way up to the head of the company since he became part of the team in 1997.
Under his guidance, the Company has become the US’s largest European tour operator and expanded on their already stellar list of choice vacation destinations and tour options. Tollman has seen the brand grow and change with vigor as both global head of sales and president of the group.
Gavin Tollman came to the company with ample prior travel counseling, tour guide, and management experience under his belt. He was president of Red Carnation Hotels, a group of four luxury hotels based in London and Palm Beach, Florida from 1996-1997. He was also Executive Vice President at Buckhead Hotel Management Co., where besides being responsible for hotel operations he helped to restructure and refinance the company during a time when negative changes in the economy impacted the hotel industry.
Tollman worked his way up the Trafalgar corporate ladder, directing the company to expansion in quality, travel style, and commitment as President from 1997 to 2001 and then furthered its leading tour company status by developing its sales, marketing, and production department as the Global Head of Sales from 2003 to 2009. He became CEO in May 2010.
Gavin Tollman has said more than once that his goal is to develop Trafalgar Tours as an “aspirational product” (a tour experience that goes beyond what they’ve experienced in the past) and has the passion, knowledge, and skills to do so.
“Where I can become an aspirational product for customers is on delivering an experience in a destination that is exponentially better than anything you can do on your own. I want people to finish a tour and say, I just did something incredible,” the Trafalgar boss told Travel Weekly, Australia’s best read travel industry magazine.
Aside from his talents in leading the Trafalgar Tours team, the travel management experienced South-African born Gavin Tollman actively commits to developing and strengthening South African tourism through his role as chairman of The Travel Corporation South Africa.
This past October, Tollman actively participated in the Travel Corporation Global Conference in South Africa where Trafalgar USA received an Office of the Year award for its growing business and innovative ideas.
Despite a dynamic work schedule, Gavin still finds time to play tennis, watch films, listen to music, practice yoga and explore other hobbies.
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