Yugotours
Yugotours was, at one time, the UK's fourth-biggest tour operator[2] and travel agent.
| Industry | Tourism, Travel |
|---|---|
| Fate | defunct |
| Successor | Med-Choice |
| Founded | 1959  |
| Founder | 1959 |
| Defunct | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Chesham house, 150 Regent Street, London[1] , United Kingdom |
Key people | Marketing Manager Alison Gray |
| Products | Package Holidays |
| Owner | Yugoslavian Government |
| Divisions | Yugotour Holiday Club |
| Website | www.yugotours.co.rs/eng/ |
History
Early history
The Yugoslavian carrier Aviogenex operated regular charters from the Manston (later Kent International Airport) to the then-popular beach resorts of Dalmatia in Yugoslavia on behalf of Yugotours from its formation in 1957, gaining ground in the 1970s as foreign holidays became increasingly popular, and even more so in the 1980s.
End
By the end of the 1980s, before the Yugoslavia’s break up, the country was the UK’s second most popular overseas holiday destination behind Spain.[3] During this hay day, the tour operator sent close to 500,000[4] holidaymakers a year to Yugoslavia.
By the early 1990s as Yugoslavia’s political framework came under strain, Yugotours faced fierce competition from then market leaders Thomson.[5] By 1992, with Yugoslavia embroiled in inter-ethnic warfare, there were fears over the future of the brand, with fears of it being relegated to sub-brand status or dropped altogether.[2] These fears were reaffirmed by Alison Gray, Yugotours marketing manager, who remarked that "It's a delicate balance. For those who link Yugotours to Yugoslavia negatively, it could be a turn-off." Into this vacuum Thomson, Lunn Poly and Owners Abroad stepped in left by the collapse of the International Leisure Group with it brands like Club 18-30, Global, Intasun.[6]
However, the brand survived until 2007, providing holidays to the newly independent former Yugoslav republics, mostly Croatia. From 2007, it was finally absorbed into the Med-Choice brand, covering the whole Mediterranean area. [2]
Other
Yugotours was famous for its 1986 catchphrase "Sun-sational Yugoslavia!"[7]
Yugotours staff reunion
In May 2019, more than a decade after its final collapse, around 120 former employees met at a resort in Porec, present-day Croatia for a reunion.[8] The four-day event[9] included a cocktail party, a boat trip to Rovinj via the Lim Fjord, and a Grand Yugotours Reunion gala dinner in Villa Polesini.[10]
References
- http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/330727/yugotours-staff-reunion-more-than-20-years-after-operator-closed
- ""Yugotours' Disarray over Civil War Forces Mediterranean Brand Launch" by Johnson, Mike - Marketing, August 15, 1991 - Online Research Library: Questia".
- "Yugoslavia state tourism and how it affects your holidays today". High50.
- http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/330727/yugotours-staff-reunion-more-than-20-years-after-operator-closed
- https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-11149114/yugotours-disarray-over-civil-war-forces-mediterranean
- https://www.questia.com/magazine/1G1-11149114/yugotours-disarray-over-civil-war-forces-mediterranean
- Yugotours 1986 TV Advert. 18 March 2015 – via YouTube.
- http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/330727/yugotours-staff-reunion-more-than-20-years-after-operator-closed
- http://yugotoursgrandreunion.com/
- http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/330727/yugotours-staff-reunion-more-than-20-years-after-operator-closed