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{{Short description|Travel and holiday companies of the United Kingdom}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2010}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2010}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Virgin Holidays
| name = Virgin Holidays Limited
| logo = Virgin Holidays.png
| logo = Virgin Holidays.png
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| foundation = 1985
| foundation = 1985
| location = [[Crawley]], [[West Sussex]], [[United Kingdom|UK]]
| location = [[Crawley]], England
| key_people = Joe Thompson ([[Managing director|MD]])<br>Orville Richard Burrell (Chief Caribbean Officer)
| key_people = Shai Weiss ([[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]])
| area_served = [[United Kingdom]]
| area_served = [[United Kingdom]]
| industry = [[Tour operator]]
| industry = [[Tour operator]]
Line 15: Line 16:
| net_income =
| net_income =
| num_employees =
| num_employees =
| parent = [[Virgin Atlantic Airways|Virgin Atlantic Holdings]] <br>{{small|([[Virgin Group]])}}
| parent = [[Virgin Atlantic]]
| subsid = [[Travel City Direct]]
| owner = [[Virgin Group]] (51%)
| homepage = [http://www.virginholidays.co.uk Virgin Holidays]
| homepage = {{url|http://www.virginholidays.co.uk}}
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}


'''Virgin Holidays Limited''' is a company within Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group that offers holidays worldwide with destinations including the USA and Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, India, the Indian Ocean and the Far East. In addition, the company has an established ski program and a specialist cruise division called "Virgin Holidays Cruises". The company was formed in 1985, a year after the successful launch of [[Virgin Atlantic Airways]] in June 1984. Initially selling seats on Virgin Atlantic routes to [[New York City]], [[Miami]] and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] the company has grown to become one of the largest and most successful long-haul scheduled tour operators in the UK. The Managing Director is Joe Thompson, who replaced Mark Anderson in 2017.
'''Virgin Holidays Limited''', trading as '''Virgin Atlantic Holidays''', is a company within the [[Virgin Group]] that offers holidays worldwide with destinations including the US and Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean and the Far East. In addition, the company has an established ski program and a specialist cruise division called "Virgin Holidays Cruises". The company was formed in 1985, a year after the successful launch of [[Virgin Atlantic]] in June 1984. Initially selling seats on Virgin Atlantic routes to [[New York City]], [[Miami]] and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] the company has grown to become one of the largest and most successful long-haul scheduled tour operators in the UK.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, it was announced on 5 May 2020 that Virgin Holidays would be rebranded as Virgin Atlantic Holidays. The full rebrand took place in 2022.


==Operations==
==Operations==
Virgin Holidays' headquarters are in the [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|Borough]] of [[Crawley]], in the [[United Kingdom]]. Seven other offices are located in [[Canada]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://craft.co/virgin-holidays/locations |title=Virgin Holidays headquarters and office locations |work=Craft.co |accessdate=November 29, 2019}}</ref>
Virgin Holidays' headquarters are in Crawley, England. Seven other offices are located in [[Canada]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://craft.co/virgin-holidays/locations |title=Virgin Holidays headquarters and office locations |work=Craft.co |access-date=November 29, 2019}}</ref>


In September 2008 Virgin Holidays launched a partnership with Herbert Ypma's [https://www.hiphotels.com/ HIP Hotels] to create Virgin Holidays + HIP Hotels, a bespoke tour operator providing holidays to luxury and boutique hotels around the world. This partnership has now ended and HIP Hotels has since been acquired by a private equity firm.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.corriere.it/notizie-ultima-ora/Economia/Settore-alberghiero-Costa-progetta-catena-lusso/23-04-2014/1-A_012041173.shtml |date=April 2014 |title=Settore alberghiero: R. Costa progetta catena di lusso (MF) |language=it |work=[[Corriere della Sera]] |accessdate=August 15, 2019}}</ref>
In September 2008 Virgin Holidays launched a partnership with Herbert Ypma's [https://www.hiphotels.com/ HIP Hotels] to create Virgin Holidays + HIP Hotels, a bespoke tour operator providing holidays to luxury and boutique hotels around the world. This partnership has now ended and HIP Hotels has since been acquired by a private equity firm.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.corriere.it/notizie-ultima-ora/Economia/Settore-alberghiero-Costa-progetta-catena-lusso/23-04-2014/1-A_012041173.shtml |date=April 2014 |title=Settore alberghiero: R. Costa progetta catena di lusso (MF) |language=it |work=[[Corriere della Sera]] |access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>


On 18 December 2008 Virgin Holidays acquired the assets and brand name of [[Travel City Direct]] from [[XL Leisure Group]], which collapsed in September 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/29804/virgin-holidays-buys-travel-city-direct |last=Dennis |first=Juliet |date=December 18, 2008 |title=Virgin Holidays buys Travel City Direct |work=[[Travel Weekly (UK)|Travel Weekly]]|accessdate=November 29, 2019}}</ref> Travel City Direct has been relaunched offering holidays to Florida, Las Vegas and the Caribbean.
On 18 December 2008 Virgin Holidays acquired the assets and brand name of [[Travel City Direct]] from [[XL Leisure Group]], which collapsed in September 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/29804/virgin-holidays-buys-travel-city-direct |last=Dennis |first=Juliet |date=December 18, 2008 |title=Virgin Holidays buys Travel City Direct |work=Travel Weekly|access-date=November 29, 2019}}</ref> Travel City Direct has now been merged into the Virgin Holidays brand.


Nearly a year later, on 15 December 2009, Virgin Holidays announced that it had bought the small independent tour operator, Bales Worldwide.
Nearly a year later, on 15 December 2009, Virgin Holidays announced that it had bought the small independent tour operator, Bales Worldwide.


Virgin Holidays has a network retail concessions throughout the UK in Debenhams, Next and pop-up shops already operating across the UK. These are supplemented by several standalone shops.
Virgin Holidays has a network of retail concessions throughout the UK in [[Next plc|Next]]. These are supplemented by several standalone shops.


In 2015 Virgin Holidays left their long standing home at The Galleria and moved to Aeronautics House close to Virgin Atlantic. Initially announced as a temporary move whilst the Galleria was refurbished it was later announced that Virgin Holidays would move into a newly built building, the Leonardo Building, with Virgin Atlantic.
In 2015 Virgin Holidays left their long standing home at The Galleria and moved to Aeronautics House close to Virgin Atlantic. Initially announced as a temporary move whilst the Galleria was refurbished it was later announced that Virgin Holidays would move into a newly built building, the Leonardo Building, with Virgin Atlantic.


In November 2019, Virgin Holidays established Orville Richard Burrell ([[Shaggy (musician)|Shaggy]]) as their Chief Caribbean Officer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bmmagazine.co.uk/news/boombastic-brit-required-to-take-over-from-shaggy-as-virgin-holidays-chief-caribbean-officer/ |date=November 27, 2019 |title=Boombastic’ Brit required to take over from Shaggy as Virgin Holidays Chief Caribbean Officer |work=Business Matters |accessdate=November 29, 2019}}</ref>
In November 2019, Virgin Holidays established Orville Richard Burrell ([[Shaggy (musician)|Shaggy]]) as their Chief Caribbean Officer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bmmagazine.co.uk/news/boombastic-brit-required-to-take-over-from-shaggy-as-virgin-holidays-chief-caribbean-officer/ |date=November 27, 2019 |title=Boombastic' Brit required to take over from Shaggy as Virgin Holidays Chief Caribbean Officer |work=Business Matters |access-date=November 29, 2019}}</ref>


===Virgin Holidays Cruises===
==Awards==
{{Infobox company
Virgin Holidays has won every significant industry and consumer travel award in the UK, and in 2013 was once again voted Best Holiday Company to the USA, the Caribbean and Canada at the prestigious British Travel Awards. It was recognised as a Consumer Superbrand in 2011, voted one of the UK's strongest brands by experts and consumers.
| name = Virgin Holidays Cruises Limited
| type = [[Limited company|Limited]]
| industry = Package Cruise Holidays
| foundation = [[Royal Wootton Bassett]], [[Swindon, Wiltshire]] ({{Start date|2000|7|9}})
| location_city = [[Crawley]]
| location_country = [[United Kingdom]]
| owner = [[Virgin Group]]
| num_employees = 80
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk/}}
}}
{{about|the cruise division of [[Virgin Holidays]]|the [[cruise line]]|Virgin Cruises}}
'''Virgin Holidays Cruises''' is a company owned by [[Virgin Group]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk/ | title=Website | accessdate=November 6, 2012}}</ref> and is part of Virgin Holidays, headquartered in [[Crawley]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.virgin.com/company/virgin-holidays-cruises | title=Fact File | accessdate=November 6, 2012}}</ref> The company specialises in package deals with cruises provided by other cruise lines.


The company was established in 2000 as '''Fast Track Holidays''' and was acquired by Virgin Holidays for an undisclosed sum in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=1123142&c=setreg&region=2&rs=132&h=6 |accessdate=2013-05-06 |date=2007 |title=Virgin Holidays expands cruise business with Fast Track Holidays takeover |publisher=Travel Mole}}</ref> At the time of the Virgin takeover the company had 80 employees. The company name was officially changed to Virgin Holidays Cruises Limited on 15 June 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/ |title=Company number 04067240 |publisher=[[Companies House]] |accessdate=2013-05-06}}</ref>
==v-room==
There are now v-room airport lounges at Gatwick and Manchester Airports. They're exclusively for the use of Virgin Holidays customers and the first ever airport lounges dedicated to people going on holiday. In 2016 the v-room at Gatwick closed temporarily whilst a terminal move to the North Terminal was planned and executed.


==Environmental research==
==Environmental research==
On 21 September 2006, [[Richard Branson]] announced that all profits the Virgin Group receives from Virgin Holidays will be ploughed into research and investment to develop [[sustainable]] sources of [[energy]]. He also committed the profits from [[Virgin Atlantic Airways]] and [[Virgin Trains]], which in total is estimated to be $3bn over the next 10 years. At the time he said, “Our generation has inherited an incredibly beautiful world from our parents and they from their parents, it is in our hands whether our children and their children inherit the same world.”
On 21 September 2006, [[Richard Branson]] announced that all profits the Virgin Group receives from Virgin Holidays would be ploughed into research and investment to develop [[sustainable]] sources of [[energy]]. He also committed the profits from Virgin Atlantic and [[Virgin Rail Group]], which was estimated to be $3bn over the next 10 years. At the time he said, "Our generation has inherited an incredibly beautiful world from our parents and they from their parents, it is in our hands whether our children and their children inherit the same world."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Revkin |first1=Andrew C. |title=Branson Pledges Billions to Fight Global Warming |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/21/science/22warmcnd.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=17 April 2021 |date=21 September 2006}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
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{{Virgin Group}}
{{Virgin Group}}


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[[Category:Virgin Group|H]]
[[Category:Virgin Group|H]]
[[Category:Travel and holiday companies of the United Kingdom]]
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[[Category:British companies established in 1985]]

Latest revision as of 05:34, 21 July 2024

Virgin Holidays Limited
Company typePrivate
IndustrieTour operator
Gegründet1985
HauptsitzCrawley, England
Area served
Vereinigtes Königreich
Key people
Shai Weiss (CEO)
ProduktePackage holidays
OwnerVirgin Group (51%)
ParentVirgin Atlantic
Websitewww.virginholidays.co.uk

Virgin Holidays Limited, trading as Virgin Atlantic Holidays, is a company within the Virgin Group that offers holidays worldwide with destinations including the US and Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian Ocean and the Far East. In addition, the company has an established ski program and a specialist cruise division called "Virgin Holidays Cruises". The company was formed in 1985, a year after the successful launch of Virgin Atlantic in June 1984. Initially selling seats on Virgin Atlantic routes to New York City, Miami and Orlando the company has grown to become one of the largest and most successful long-haul scheduled tour operators in the UK.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, it was announced on 5 May 2020 that Virgin Holidays would be rebranded as Virgin Atlantic Holidays. The full rebrand took place in 2022.

Operations

[edit]

Virgin Holidays' headquarters are in Crawley, England. Seven other offices are located in Canada and the United States.[1]

In September 2008 Virgin Holidays launched a partnership with Herbert Ypma's HIP Hotels to create Virgin Holidays + HIP Hotels, a bespoke tour operator providing holidays to luxury and boutique hotels around the world. This partnership has now ended and HIP Hotels has since been acquired by a private equity firm.[2]

On 18 December 2008 Virgin Holidays acquired the assets and brand name of Travel City Direct from XL Leisure Group, which collapsed in September 2008.[3] Travel City Direct has now been merged into the Virgin Holidays brand.

Nearly a year later, on 15 December 2009, Virgin Holidays announced that it had bought the small independent tour operator, Bales Worldwide.

Virgin Holidays has a network of retail concessions throughout the UK in Next. These are supplemented by several standalone shops.

In 2015 Virgin Holidays left their long standing home at The Galleria and moved to Aeronautics House close to Virgin Atlantic. Initially announced as a temporary move whilst the Galleria was refurbished it was later announced that Virgin Holidays would move into a newly built building, the Leonardo Building, with Virgin Atlantic.

In November 2019, Virgin Holidays established Orville Richard Burrell (Shaggy) as their Chief Caribbean Officer.[4]

Virgin Holidays Cruises

[edit]
Virgin Holidays Cruises Limited
Company typeLimited
IndustriePackage Cruise Holidays
GegründetRoyal Wootton Bassett, Swindon, Wiltshire (July 9, 2000 (2000-07-09))
Hauptsitz
Crawley
,
Vereinigtes Königreich
OwnerVirgin Group
Number of employees
80
Websitewww.virginholidayscruises.co.uk
This article is about the cruise division of Virgin Holidays. For the cruise line, see Virgin Cruises.

Virgin Holidays Cruises is a company owned by Virgin Group[5] and is part of Virgin Holidays, headquartered in Crawley.[6] The company specialises in package deals with cruises provided by other cruise lines.

The company was established in 2000 as Fast Track Holidays and was acquired by Virgin Holidays for an undisclosed sum in 2007.[7] At the time of the Virgin takeover the company had 80 employees. The company name was officially changed to Virgin Holidays Cruises Limited on 15 June 2009.[8]

Environmental research

[edit]

On 21 September 2006, Richard Branson announced that all profits the Virgin Group receives from Virgin Holidays would be ploughed into research and investment to develop sustainable sources of energy. He also committed the profits from Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Rail Group, which was estimated to be $3bn over the next 10 years. At the time he said, "Our generation has inherited an incredibly beautiful world from our parents and they from their parents, it is in our hands whether our children and their children inherit the same world."[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Virgin Holidays headquarters and office locations". Craft.co. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Settore alberghiero: R. Costa progetta catena di lusso (MF)". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). April 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  3. ^ Dennis, Juliet (18 December 2008). "Virgin Holidays buys Travel City Direct". Travel Weekly. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  4. ^ "Boombastic' Brit required to take over from Shaggy as Virgin Holidays Chief Caribbean Officer". Business Matters. 27 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  5. ^ "Website". Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  6. ^ "Fact File". Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Virgin Holidays expands cruise business with Fast Track Holidays takeover". Travel Mole. 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  8. ^ "Company number 04067240". Companies House. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  9. ^ Revkin, Andrew C. (21 September 2006). "Branson Pledges Billions to Fight Global Warming". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
[edit]
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