House of Travel’s first retail store has, as of last weekend, been open for a milestone 38 years.
Owner operator Darryl Sandri attributes the store’s success to years of building strong community relationships, earning a reputation as a trusted local travel partner, and the support of the HoT Holdings business partnership model. “We’ve built relationships with generations of clients who know us, respect our expertise, and trust that we’ll be there to support them if anything goes wrong.”
Highlights over the past nearly four decades have included reuniting families who were separated for over two years due to the global pandemic, says Sandri. “These moments felt particularly special to us, especially when our clients who are grandparents were able to travel and meet their newborn grandchildren in person for the first time.”
HoT Timaru opened in 1987, known then as John Kemp House of Travel. HoT retail director Jayne Alldred says at the time of the store’s opening, the brand’s business partnership model at the time was completely unique. “The proof that the business culture and model works is with stores like Timaru, still thriving almost four decades since opening,” she adds.
Pictured is the House of Travel Timaru team with their partners watching an NRL game last year; Johnny Rush, Chevonne Matchett, Emma and Sam Chappell, Darryl Sandri, and Ritchie and Brenda Taylor.
