Topdeck

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Topdeck Travel is a tour operator providing trips to 18 - 30 somethings throughout Europe, Africa and Egypt. The company was founded in 1973 by Graham "Skroo" Turner, who later went on to found Flight Centre in Australia.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

Topdeck coaches old and new
Topdeck coaches old and new

[edit] Early Days

In the beginning transport was via double-decker bus - hence the name, Topdeck. From 1974 and right through the 1990’s these ‘Deckers’ travelled Europe including trips to Morocco, the Middle East and even overland between London to Kathmandu. In the early 1980's the company expanded its operations into the United States where it coined the name Decker Homes for its Bristol Lodkker buses. The company also ran trips from Sydney to London from 1980 using a converted Sydney double-decker. Coaches were introduced in the mid-80’s because of European Union laws and the focus shifted to camping and hard-top trips staying in European campsites and later hotel adventure trips were introduced.

Top Deck Travel was one of the pioneers of camping holidays in Europe and with Contiki it is one of the few survivors of an amazing period which saw companies like Transit, Autotours and Sundowners all fall by the way. Unlike other companies, Top Deck pitched itself at the budget traveller and went on to found one of Australia's iconic companies, Flight Centre.

[edit] Today

The company changed hands several times in the 1990's, and in 2003 was purchased by a consortium including Australian Pacific Touring (APT) and Connections Adventures.[2]

In 2005 a substantial hotel programme was introduced creating a range of products for all budgets. In 2007 smaller group trips under the "Explorer" banner were launched.

Since then, the company has grown into a strong competitor to Contiki Tours in the competitive 18-30 market. Its target markets include Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand. Topdeck is primarily sold though budget travel outlets such as Flight Centre and STA Travel.

In 2008 the company was voted "Best Tour Operator" at the TravelMole 2008 Web Awards.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ ABC Queensland: Graham Turner http://www.abc.net.au/queensland/stories/s1107592.htm
  2. ^ What APT, Connections plan for rescued Top Deck. | Australasian Business Intelligence | Find Articles at BNET.com
  3. ^ TravelMole 2008 Web Awards winners unveiled http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1128659.php

[edit] External links

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