Leisuretime
{{Short description|Travel agency in the United Kingdom.}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox company
|name = Leisuretime
|logo =
|type = Private
|traded_as =
|foundation = 1995
|location = Cardiff, Wales
|key_people =
|area_served = UK
|predecessor =
|industry = Hospitality, tourism
|products =
|services = Travel agencies, Tour operating
|revenue =
|operating_income =
|net_income =
|num_employees = 50+ (2016) {{Citation needed|date=May 2017}}
|caption =
|subsid =
|homepage = {{URL|http://www.leisuretime.co.uk/}}
}}
Leisuretime is a travel agent and tour operator specialising in coach holidays, short breaks and cruises. The company's head office is located in the centre of Cardiff, Wales.
Company overview
Leisuretime[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/03182743 Company no. 03182743 (Leisure Time (Wales) Limited)] Companies House[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/07727002 Company no. 07727002 (Leisuretime Retail Limited)] Companies House was founded in 1996 by Ceri Johnson who leased a vacant office at the former Cardiff Bus headquarters. Originally trading as Leisure Time Tours, the company began by running coach holidays from South Wales to destinations across the UK.
The company has expanded considerably in recent years with the opening of a new head office and call centre, a store refurbishment programme[http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/business/15057353.Leisuretime_celebrates_refurbishment_of_Newport_store/?ref=rss Leisuretime celebrates refurbishment of Newport store] South Wales Argus 30 January 2017 and the introduction of new pick-up points and destinations to its holiday programme.[http://www.travelgbi.com/articles/59100/leisuretime-adds-new-wales-pick-up-points Leisuretime adds new Wales pick-up points] Travel GBI 20 May 2016[https://www.allthingswelsh.co.uk/european-coach-trip-provider-leisuretime-expands-adding-new-west-wales-pick-up-points/ European coach trip provider expands adding new West Wales pick-up points] All Things Welsh 27 May 2016 Leisuretime has also extended its partnerships with both national and independent travel agents including Thomas Cook and Travel House,[https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/news/leisuretime-boosts-its-support-for-the-trade-4881 Leisuretime boosts its support for the trade] TTG 19 May 2016 and online travel agents including Door2Tour and Coachholidays.com.
In 2014 the company began to utilise its sales channels by launching partnerships with a range of third-party licensed tour operators, enabling the sale of a wider range of holidays. The company now sells travel arranged by third-parties under the Leisuretime brand alongside its Cruise Centre and CoachHoliday.com brands.
The company is a member of ABTA[https://abta.com/find-a-member/results?term=leisuretime#results Leisuretime ABTA membership] ABTA and various other travel organisations including the Advantage Travel Partnership.
The Leisuretime brand was acquired by sustainable coach tour operator, Toureasy, in 2022.[https://www.walesonline.co.uk/special-features/new-lease-life-leisuretime-rising-24251125.amp New lease of life for Leisuretime as rising coach firm takes the wheel] WalesOnline 22 July 2022
Sponsorship
Leisuretime is a well-known sponsor of Welsh sports clubs and societies. The company is currently main shirt sponsor of Principality Premiership club, Merthyr RFC and has partnerships with Newport County AFC,[http://www.newport-county.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/leisuretime-extended-sponsorship-deal-3244507.aspx Leisuretime extended sponsorship deal] Newport County AFC 12 August 2016 Dragons and Ospreys[http://www.ospreysrugby.com/Page/Content/2857 Member Discounts] Ospreys RFC amongst others.
As of 2017, the company is also a title sponsor of Toby Davis, competing in the Volkswagen Racing Cup for teamHARD.[http://www.leisuretime.co.uk/blog/2017/03 Leisuretime announce a new sponsorship deal with motorsport’s Toby Davis of Team-HARD.] Leisuretime Blog 27 March 2017
Charity
Leisuretime works alongside Tŷ Hafan, a Welsh-based charity that provides holistic palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions, organising travel experiences for children at the hospice and their families.[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/ty-hafan-receives-festive-treat-12362969 Ty-Hafan receives festive treat thanks to travel company’s staff and customers] WalesOnline 23 December 2016[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/special-features/leisuretime-opens-up-magic-hogwarts-12445947 Leisuretime opens up the magic of Hogwarts for families at Ty Hafan] WalesOnline 12 January 2017
Awards
The company has been recognised by winning several industry awards. Most recently in November 2016 at the British Travel Awards,[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/appointments/leisuretime-enjoys-double-win-british-12276346 Leisuretime enjoys double win at the British Travel Awards] WalesOnline 5 December 2016 where it picked up awards in the Best Coach Holiday Company[http://britishtravelawards.com/2016AwardsExtra.php Size based category winners] British Travel Awards and Best Local Travel Agency[http://britishtravelawards.com/2016Awards.php?p=6 2016 winners] British Travel Awards categories.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.leisuretime.co.uk/ Leisuretime website]