Events in 2020 have had a major impact on all businesses, and none more so than the travel industry.
Lesmon Travel, a family-run coach holiday company based in Frome that has been offering UK and European coach holidays for over 35 years, were only able to run one tour this year, back in early February before the Covid-19 situation brought everything to a grinding halt. But now they have launched their much anticipated 2021 brochure, to bring us all some Christmas cheer.
“It was a tough year,” said company owner Mark Wye, “and our thoughts are with everyone affected by the virus. Despite having to cancel nearly all of our tours, we were pleased to be able to offer prompt and full refunds to all of our passengers, although many of our regulars asked us to carry their money over to 2021. It’s great to have such a loyal and trusting group of passengers.
“For 2021 we have tried to re-arrange as many of the cancelled tours from 2020 as we could, including a fantastic tour of ‘Scenic Switzerland visiting the lakes and mountains of the Swiss Alps; a nine-day Austria trip which takes in a ride on the 127 year-old Achensee Steam Cog, a scenic lake cruise on the ‘Fjord of the Alps’ lake, a visit to Innsbruck – twice host to the Winter Olympic Games – a visit to the impressive Krimml falls, the fifth largest waterfall in the world; and a scenic drive to the mighty Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain.
“Closer to home we have re-arranged our tours of Mother’s Day in Tenby, Historic Lincoln, Scarborough Fair, Cruises in Lake District and our fantastic eight day trip to Scotland’s Far North including John O’Groats & Orkney Islands; it’s as far as you can go on a coach without leaving the country!
“Add to this, additional tours to the Harrogate Spring Essentials Show, the West of Ireland, Disneyland Paris and the unique Matlock Illuminations & the Heights of Abraham, and I think we have a selection of tours that will have something for everyone.
“We believe in making your holiday that extra bit special by providing a very personal level of service and, we like to think, a unique holiday experience, from our complimentary door-to-door pick up service, right through to our fully inclusive excursions on all tours.
“We have a relatively small catchment area, so our pick-ups for each tour generally take around an hour from start to finish, something many other companies simply cannot deliver.
“The coaches we use for our holidays are typically only a year or two old, and have all the features you would expect from such modern vehicles, such as climate control, a toilet and tea and coffee facilities. We don’t have any overnight travel on our tours, and make regular stops on the journeys, to make sure you get to enjoy your holiday in full, from the first day to the last.”
Mark had over 20 years’ experience of delivering first-rate customer service in his previous career as a store manager in the food retail industry.
“While the products are different, the importance of good customer services is just as vital now, if not even more so,” he added. “Peace of mind is also important to people booking their holiday and with this in mind we are using the TRIP scheme, at no extra cost to you, to fully comply with the ‘Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018’. All passengers booking with Mark Wye t/a Lesmon Travel are fully insured for the initial deposit, and subsequently the balance of monies paid.
“While we are not running any tours until 2021, there has been great interest in next year already. To book a tour, for a copy of the full brochure or for more details on any of the tours please give us a call on 01373 472289 or visit our website at www.lesmontravel.co.uk.”
