Martin Randall Travel is a cultural tour operator in Britain. It specializes in small group tours, music festivals and Mediterranean cruises. It was named AITO Travel Company of the Year in 2005, 2007 and 2008, based on client surveys.[1]
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Martin Randall Travel was founded in 1988.[2] It was the successor to Martin Randall's previous company, from which he was ousted in a boardroom coup[2]. Its primary focus is the organization of small group tours, led by a lecturer who is an expert in their field.
In 1994, the company expanded into producing music festivals to complement their small group tours. The company pioneered this concept, and has seven festivals confirmed for 2009.
The third subsidiary, the Mediterranean Cruises series, launched in September 2008, on the MS Columbus, in opposition to Swan Hellenic, where Martin Randall once worked.[3]
The first of the cruises coincided with the credit crunch. The cruises series was cancelled after the first two seasons and eight itineraries.[4]
Martin Randall Travel focuses on a small clientele and has received favourable reviews. Ian Irvine in The Independent said, "All three... highlights from my life as a cultural tourist were part of the remarkable series of music festivals run by Martin Randall."[5] Christine Headley praised Martin Randall Travel's handling of money - covering most costs and distributing local currency - on the festival she attended.[6] Kenneth Asch wrote in the Travellers' Handbook, "Of all the travel services I have researched, Martin Randall Travel is perhaps the most comprehensive, culturally speaking."[7]
"www.martinrandall.com". Martin Randall Travel's website. http://www.martinrandall.com. Retrieved 12/06/08.