still can’t quite believe it’s 35 years since I set up International Travel Connections, it seems like only yesterday. So, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have helped to make this company what it is today, our friends, partners, clients and staff.
I’d like to share with you some of my memories from the last 35 years – a time in which the face of luxury travel really has undergone many changes.
The Caribbean, of course, was my first venture
into the travel business and remains my great
love, so no wonder I chose to celebrate my
60th Birthday at La Luna on Grenada. My
passion for the region was ignited by my first
visit to Barbados in 1974 and, although my
holiday home then was a humble apartment on
the South Coast, it only took me a couple of
years to make it to Sandy Lane and realise that
this was the style and luxury that I wanted to
offer to people.
After I’d explored the Caribbean thoroughly it was time to head further afield
(no hardship in these days of ever-increasing luxury in the skies) and these
days our portfolio features the finest properties in the Indian Ocean, the
Middle East, Europe, Africa, the Far East and Australasia.
Back in Barbados and New York we were the biggest seller of Concorde in its
heyday and continue in a long tradition of keeping our finger on the pulse
when it comes to giving people the luxury travel experiences of their dreams.
As part of our growth we have taken care to establish the best personal
relationships with our suppliers, which is why we can secure many special
extras for you at your chosen destinations. As that grand old saying goes,
“It’s not what you know it’s who you know that counts”!
Of course our experience here at International Travel Connections means
that we have an unrivalled insight into the kind of holidays our clients prefer
and over the years I’ve done my level best to sample as many of the
destinations that we feature as possible - when I say we have first hand
knowledge and expertise, I believe that it should start with me!
Today’s increasing emphasis on “do-it-yourself” holidays, where you’re
faced with a bewildering array of internet based options and have to go into
battle with hotels and airlines yourself, is the antithesis of what International
Travel Connections stands for. My strongly held belief is that service remains
of paramount importance. So, long may service, style and sophisticated
travel experiences reign supreme!
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“For many people wishing to travel to the Caribbean, their first stop has long been Chester. Indeed Chester and the Caribbean have been intrexicably linked for so long that one wonders why England doesn't play one of its cricket tests here on its tour of the West Indies. The reason for Chester's dominance of the luxury holiday industry can be attributed to one man: Drew Foster - and his Chester-based operator ITC - bestrides the upmarket holiday world like a colossus. His extraordinary success over the past 35 years shows what wonders can be achieved by hard work, imagination and an unshaking commitment to the best interests of the customer.”
Frank Barrett
Travel Editor of the Mail on Sunday
To help us celebrate our 35th Anniversary many of our hotel partners have
provided us with exclusive offers for our clients, a selection of which you will see below.
“As General manager of Cobblers Cove, I am delighted to be able to celebrate
this occasion after the hotel’s long, happy and successful relationship with one
of the most dynamic and prestigious Tour Operators in the business. In fact,
our association with ITC goes back almost as many years as the creation of
Cobblers itself and ITC has evolved with us in making the property one of the
best loved and most successful in the entire Caribbean. I have known Drew
Foster personally for many years and respect him and his superb team
immensely. I have pleasure in raising a celebratory Cobblers Cooler to
ITC and its continued success.”
Randy Wilkie
General Manager
Cobblers Cove, Barbados
Cobblers Cove
Exclusive 35th Anniversary Offer
ITC Classics clients can enjoy a 30 minute complimentary spa treatment at
Cobblers Cove during 2009, when the holiday is booked by 28 February
2009.
“The UK’s longest established independent Luxury Tour Operator.
ITC Classics has earned this enviable reputation. This comes as no
surprise to me since I have seen first hand your consistent proficient
approach to providing personalised tailor made holidays to suit the needs of
each of your clients. The relationship between Spice Island Beach Resort and
ITC Classics, with Mr. Drew Foster at the helm of his team of professionals,
goes back over 34 years. This successful partnership is one that I personally
value and I am truly proud to be a part of the ITC Classics family. Our
collective efforts over the years have galvanised the support of our client base
internationally and we have managed to create for our mutual clients some
of the most memorable travel experiences.”
Sir Royston Hopkin
Owner
Spice Island, Grenada
Spice Island Beach Resort
Exclusive 35th Anniversary Offer
ITC Classics clients who book by 28 February 2009 for travel during 2009
will enjoy one complimentary bottle of champagne in room on arrival.
“On behalf of all of us at Raffles, we would like to take this opportunity to
congratulate ITC for successfully providing professional and personalised
service as well as creating unique and memorable experiences to travellers
across the world over the past 35 years. Raffles Canouan is very proud to
be a partner of ITC and to play a small part in your huge success.
Happy 35th Anniversary and we wish you continued growth with
many more good years in store.”
Gilbert Madhaven
General Manager
Raffles Canouan
Raffles Resort
Exclusive 35th Anniversary Offer
ITC Classics clients who book by 28 February 2009 for travel
during 2009 will enjoy one complimentary bottle of
champagne in room on arrival
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