About the Group
Albatross Group is the leading provider of group tourism services, operating more than 2,100 tours annually throughout the UK and continental Europe. The Albatross Group consists of six brands in the group leisure tourism sector working in both business-to-business and business-to-consumer sectors. The Albatross Group currently has UK offices in Kent, Trowbridge and Hereford, and Australia.
Albatross was originally founded in London in 1985 by Manfred and Sally Thelen to provide wholesale group accommodation packages to coach operators located throughout the UK. Albatross Incoming Tours was launched two years later to cater for the domestic needs of UK coach operators, whilst also servicing inbound groups from the USA and Germany. The two brands operated successfully as independent businesses until they were merged to form what was then known as the Albatross Travel Group in 1997.
In 1995 Albatross entered the Australian market and over the years built a successful tour operation bringing Australians and New Zealanders to Europe. Three years later in 1998 Albatross acquired Wiltshire-based wholesaler and group tour operator Success Tours. In 1999, Steve Hornby joined Albatross as Incoming Manager, where his career progressed before taking the opportunity to move to Wiltshire to become Managing Director of Success Tours
Specialist London wholesaler Leisure Breaks joined the Group in 2007 and together with London Hotels and Travel Services, which was acquired in 2013, the two businesses were eventually merged under the Albatross Travel banner.
After establishing his career with the likes of Thomas Cook and Cosmos, Adam Handy joined Albatross Group in 2007, as Chief Financial Officer.
Scenic Car Tours was established in 2012, offering a wide range of exciting touring holidays for car clubs and motoring enthusiasts. Continental Car Tours was acquired soon after, establishing firm foothold in the car touring market.
In 2017 Steve Hornby joined Adam Handy, in a successful management buyout of the Albatross Group and they became co-Chief Executive Officers.
Well-known industry figure, Denise Bridges sits on the Albatross group board and is Managing Director of Albatross Travel, handling coach wholesaling within the UK, out to the continent and into the UK from mainly Germany. Denise also leads the Group’s buying team and supplier relations and was the only female to chair the Coach Tourism Association, the industry body responsible for promoting tourism by coach, from 2015-18.
After a period of steady growth, as the individual companies within the group established themselves as leading brands in their markets, Albatross Group, like many travel companies, found the global pandemic in 2020 a very challenging time. But as the world turned back to normality the company was able to bounce back.
In 2022, the company added Backwater Classic Car Tours – focused on tours exploring quiet backwaters and lesser-known drives – to Scenic Car Tours creating a portfolio brand under the Albatross Motoring Limited umbrella.
In January 2024 the Group launched Magari Tours, a new consumer brand focusing on holidays for the discerning traveller looking to explore the “real” Italy, offering smaller group sizes together with immersive and authentic experiences.
Most recently, we are delighted to announce today that Norman Allen Group Travel (NAGT) is joining the Albatross Group of companies in a move that will see the two leading businesses in coach wholesaling in the UK operate separately under the single ownership of Albatross Group. The Hereford based business, will continue as an independent brand within the Group, alongside Albatross Travel. NAGT Managing Director Paul Mallon and Financial Director, Sarah Hunter, will remain for a period to ensure a smooth transition. Bringing the two businesses together – rather than a sale to a company unfamiliar with the intricacies of coach wholesaling – makes logical sense for the coach tourism industry. The change in ownership will have no impact on the day-to-day running of either NAGT or Albatross Travel, it remains business as usual, with all areas of the operation continuing as at present.
The Albatross Group currently has combined annual sales of over £30m. The Group is focused on providing excellent service to customers, clients, and suppliers alike, building a sustainable business, without losing sight of the fact that everyone is treated as individuals.
A strong community focus is another important aspect of the Group. The Claire Foster Memorial Fund, established in 2009 and named after a former employee, raises money for a wide range of good local causes, as nominated by employees of the Group. Adam Handy chairs the Fund and devotes a significant proportion of his free time to chairing local amateur football club, Larkfield FC. The club operates more than 20 teams ranging in age from five-years-old to adults, working with over 300 local children.
In 2025 The Albatross Group is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
The Albatross Group currently consists of the following brands:
Business to Business:
Albatross Travel
Norman Allen Group Travel
Business to Consumer:
Albatross Tours (Australia)
Backwater Classic Car Tours
Scenic Car Tours
Success Tours
Magari Tours
Norman Allen Group Travel
February 2025, Kent, UK