Tributes have been paid following the death of former Thomson Travel Group chairman and Airtours director Roger Davies.
Davies worked at Thomson between 1969 and 1990 and played a significant role in turning the company into a market leader. He later served on the Airtours board from 1994 to 2000.
He died on May 28 aged 78, leaving wife Adele and son Robert.
Davies joined Thomson as a marketing executive and worked his way up, later becoming group chief executive and chairman until his departure in 1990.
He met his wife to be Adele while working at Thomson. She recalled: “We got to the point where he was in charge of the summer programme and I was in charge of the winter programme on the marketing side. He went on to become marketing director and worked his way up. His rise was much more meteoric.”
‘Passionate about quality’
She added: “What mattered to Roger more than anything was to give good quality holidays. He was passionate about quality control and standards.”
His achievements ranged from his involvement in Thomson’s takeover of Horizon Travel in 1988 to the growth of retail chain Lunn Poly.
After leaving Thomson he joined the Monopolies and Mergers Commission (now the Competition and Markets Authority) for several years before being invited to join the board of Airtours.
During his stint as a director at Airtours from 1994 until 2000, he served as chairman of the company’s shop network Going Places.
British Travel & Hospitality Industry Hall of Fame
In 1996 he was honoured by the British Travel & Hospitality Industry Hall of Fame, which recognises the highest achievers in the travel, hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors. Inductees have not only achieved phenomenal business success but have also mentored, inspired and shaped those around them.
Davies has been remembered by those who knew him as a respected, approachable leader who had a significant impact on the structure of the travel industry, turning Thomson into the market leader.
He has been described by many as a “true gentleman” and “great role model”.
‘Driving force behind what Tui UK is today’
Former Thomson Travel Group chief executive Paul Brett described Davies as having “one of the best business brains I have ever come across, which gave him a long and hugely successful career at Thomson Travel.”
He added: “His ability and his wry sense of humour will be sadly missed by his many friends and colleagues.”
Dermot Blastland, former Tui Travel managing director, said he was “very sad” to hear news of Davies’ death.
“Roger was the best boss I ever worked for; supportive and challenging. He was also the driving force behind what Tui UK is today,” he said.
Silversea Cruises UK managing director Peter Shanks, who was managing director of Airtours’ retail chain Going Places in the 1990s, also paid tribute to Davies for his leadership qualities.
He recalled: “Roger’s strategic purpose and determination was a sight to behold.
‘Instrumental in the creation of Going Places’
“He was instrumental in the creation of Going Places and a brilliant leader as well as a true gentleman. I was fortunate to learn so much from him as so many did.”
John McEwan, who was managing director of rival Thomas Cook when Davies was chief executive of Thomson Travel Group in the 1980s, said: “It’s very sad to learn of the passing of Roger.
“As the two largest travel companies, Roger and I were very competitive and aggressive in fighting each other to gain the upper hand. Despite our rivalry, we had great respect for each other and got along well socially.”
He added: “Roger made a very big impact on the travel sector in that decade and contributed to fundamental change in the structure of the industry. RIP Roger.”
Others who posted tributes on social media included former Travel Weekly managing director Trevor Harding who called the industry stalwart “a true gentleman”.
German tourism group Tui took over Thomson in 2000 and the rebranding process to Tui began in 2017.
A Tui spokesperson: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Roger Davies. Our thoughts and sympathies are with his family at this time.”
Donations are being collected by his wife for The Royal Free Charity in his memory via a Just Giving page here
A funeral is due to be held on June 17 and anyone wishing to attend is asked to contact Davies wife Adele Biss-Davies in advance by emailing adele@bissdavies.co.uk