Group Voyagers
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Travel and tourism |
| Founded | 1928 |
| Founder | Antonio Mantegazza |
| Headquarters | Colorado , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Sergio Mantegazza (former president) |
| Products | Escorted tours, river cruising, independent travel packages |
Number of employees | 5000+ |
| Parent | Globus family of brands |
| Website | www |
Group Voyagers, Inc.—commonly referred to as the "Globus family of brands"—is an international organization providing escorted tours, river cruising experiences, and customized independent travel options. Its brand lineup comprises Globus, Cosmos, and Avalon Waterways.
Timeline
The enterprise traces its roots back to 1928 when Antonio Mantegazza began ferrying goods via rowing boat on Lake Lugano in Switzerland. He subsequently developed a tourist motorcoach service under the name Globus Viaggi, expanding the fleet to 12 coaches dedicated to regional European tours.
By 1950, Globus had grown to operate 33 coaches that offered overnight journeys to locations including Rome, Venice, the Dolomites, and the French Riviera. Under the guidance of Werner Albek, the company pioneered upscale Grand European Touring by creating premium European tour packages aimed at American travelers.
In 1961, Globus introduced Cosmos (originally Cosmos Holidays) in the United Kingdom, targeting budget-conscious customers with affordable European tour options.
Sergio Mantegazza, son of Antonio, assumed the presidency in 1975 and led the company’s worldwide expansion into regions such as Africa, Australia, the Americas, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the South Pacific. It was during this era that Group Voyagers, Inc. was formed to oversee North American operations for both Globus and Cosmos.
In 2004, the company broadened its offerings by establishing Avalon Waterways for river cruising and Monograms (currently known as Globus Independent Tours) for self-guided travel packages.
Present
Today, the Globus family encompasses over 30 companies within tourism and aviation sectors, employing more than 5,000 staff members. Their escorted and independent travel programs boast close to 10,000 departures and exceed 400 itineraries spanning upwards of 65 countries across six continents. Serving nearly half a million travelers annually, these brands collectively position Globus as the largest tour operator worldwide.