Stanley Tollman, chairman of The Travel Corporation (TTC),
recently marked his 80th birthday in grand style by holding the
company's convention in his native country of South Africa. The event was
organized in Cape Town to introduce more than 350 international travel
representatives to the special tourism venues available in that country. TTC, a
leader in the international travel and hospitality business, is known for its
commitment to high quality travel packages to the four corners of the world
with a new emphasis on South Africa. The company is owned and managed by the
Tollman family and represents well-known international tour operators that
specialize in all types of travel packages including travel by air, river
cruises and coach transportation to popular tourist destinations.
Developing a Taste for Good Food
In his youth, Stanley Tollman frequently visited the Johannesburg
restaurant and hotel owned by his parents, The Palace. He worked
in the kitchen during his university years and developed a love for preparing
simple but good quality food using the freshest ingredients. After marrying
Bea, who shared his passion for food, they created their first eating
establishment, The Nugget. That success led them to create the Hyde
Park Hotel, which included the Colony restaurant and other eating
and entertaining establishments. The most famous of those was The Stable,
which gained fame through its performance lineup of international celebrities
and its house band.
The Tollman Towers Hotel, which he built in Johannesburg,
was noted for its height, which was unusual for its day, and its inclusion in a
list of the best international hotels. He later invested in Court Hotels,
which included a real estate business as well as a hotel. Stanley Tollman's
continual business successes came to a halt when skyrocketing interest rates dramatically
affected his businesses. Suffering major financial losses, he left South Africa
for the UK, where his family owned a hotel and shares in a travel operator
business called Trafalgar Tours.
Overcoming Challenges and Founding The Travel Corporation
With all of the challenges of starting over in a new country,
Stanley Tollman once again succeeded by expanding on Trafalgar Tours and
becoming a representative for additional tour operators. He founded The
Travel Corporation and incorporated the services of such well-known travel
and tourism companies as AAT Kings, Uniworld, Creative
Holidays and Red Carnation Hotels.
A Spirit of Generosity
Placing a vital emphasis on philanthropy and supporting worthy
causes, Stanley Tollman took the opportunity of his 80th birthday to
generously endow five South African charities. One of the recipients was the Make
a Difference Foundation, which is managed by the previous captain of the
Springbook rugby team that won the Word Cup in 1995, Francois Pienaar. Other
organizations chosen for donations were the Peace Center, named for
Desmond Tutu, and the Amy Biehl Foundation. Additionally, the Tollman
family promotes art in South Africa through private funds and awards.
Protecting the Unprotected
One of Stanley Tollman's priorities is to help preserve South
Africa's wildlife, plants and rock paintings, which are presumed to be 10,000
years old. He supports organizations that work towards protecting natural flora
and replenishing the fish and animals that are facing extinction.
