Caledonian Leisure acquires family-run Tates Travel

Long-established family-run agency Tates Travel has been acquired by coach specialist Caledonian Leisure for an undisclosed sum.

 

The Abta member agency in Sunderland becomes part of a recently expanded group of seven Caledonian Travel Centres, developed to provide "sector-leading" service to a growing customer base.

 

Founded in 1985 and run by brother-and-sister team Lee Tate and Lisa Halliday, Tates Travel has grown into one of the region’s leading independent agencies and has been recognised as Jet2Holidays’ top seller for Jet2CityBreaks for two years in a row.

 

Tates Travel will continue to be run by Tate and his team alongside a Caledonian Travel Centre, offering advice and customer support, including on departure mornings at Park Lane, Sunderland.

 

The investment in Tates Travel follows the recent addition of The Caledonian Island Hotel on the Isle of Wight, bringing the total number of hotels in The Caledonian Hotel Collection to six.

 

Caledonian Leisure and Tates Travel have had a collaborative relationship for more than two decades, with joint business growing in recent years. Tates has consistently been one of the company’s best performing agents.

 

Caledonian Leisure commercial director Martin Lock said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Tates Travel to the Caledonian family. 

 

“I have personally worked closely with Lee and the team for many years, and their unwavering customer-first approach is perfectly aligned with our values at Caledonian Leisure.

 

“We look forward to working together to further strengthen Tates Travel as a growing force in the northeast while expanding our offering to our increasing Caledonian customer base.”

 

Lee Tate added: “We have always enjoyed an excellent relationship with everyone at Caledonian. 

 

“Customers have always been at the heart of Tates Travel, so I am delighted to be joining such an exciting and growing business such as Caledonian, who’s reputation for delivering exceptional customer service will ensure this philosophy continues for many years to come.”