Contiki Tours
| File:Contiki Logo US.png | |
| |
| Company type | Private |
| Industry | Travel and Leisure |
| Founded | New Zealand (1962) |
| Founder | John Anderson |
| Fate | Acquired by Trafalgar Tours |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Parent | The Travel Corporation |
| Website | contiki |
Contiki Tours is a Travel Corporation-operated coach tour company operating in Europe, Russia, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, and Asia.[1] The travel company was formed in 1962 specifically to create coach trips for 18- to 35-year-olds[2] to include a mix of sightseeing, free time, culture, socializing, and adventure.[1]
History
In 1961, New Zealander company founder John Anderson arrived in London ready to explore Europe. By himself and without much money, he devised a plan so that he would not have to travel alone and could see Europe for free.[1] He put a deposit on a minibus, gathered a group of people to travel with, and spent 12 weeks exploring Europe with his group. At the end of the trip, he unsuccessfully tried to sell the minibus. In the Spring of 1962 he decided to promote his Europe trip again, and this time he was able to fit two trips into the summer season. The first tours were booked by 19- to 29-year-olds starting the tradition of Contiki Holidays being for youth travelers. The name Contiki supposedly comes from the portmanteau 'Con' from the word 'Continent' and 'Tiki'; derived from the native New Zealand Maori good luck charm.[1]
Tour Styles
Contiki claims to be the most popular youth travel company in the world, carrying over 150,000 18-35 year olds worldwide in 2007.[1] According to TourRadar, a Travel Website, Contiki offer 331 different tours in 58 countries.[3]
There are eight types of tours that travelers can choose to take, Camping Tours, Discovery Plus Tours, High Energy Tours, In-Depth Explorer Tours, Easy Pace Tours, Sailing & Cruise Tours, Winter & Ski Tours and , Festivals & Short Stays Tours. Each style has a mix of sightseeing and free time with the main difference between the styles being the accommodations used.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "About Contiki". September 2007. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
- ^ What really happens on a Contiki tour? by Alexandra Burnie, Herald Sun, 7 April 2014
- ^ "Contiki Reviews and Tours". Retrieved 2015-06-22.
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