1928
Antonio Mantegazza (the eventual founder of the Globus family of brands) buys a rowboat (on credit) and begins transporting travelers across Lake Lugano, sharing stories and local insights.[[http://www.travelagentcentral.com/travelagentcentral/Tours+%26+Packages/Improving-With-Age/ArticleLong/Article/detail/51967?searchString=Globus%20Change Improving With Age - Travel Agent Central]][“Globus Change,” Travel Agent magazine, March 22, 1999][[http://www.groupvoyagers.com/index.php/do/history Group Voyagers - Globus family of brands Offers Affordable Vacations and Premium Travel]]
1930s
Antonio Mantegazza purchases more rowboats, convincing his friends to join him, as he expands his budding travel business. Rowboats grow to motorboats and then move to land with a taxi service. Even with his growth, offering stories of the local sights to travelers remain a large part of his popularity and development plan.[“How Globus Viaggi Was Born,” by Sergio Mantagazza]
Mid-1930s
Antonio Mantegazza has the good fortune to win a local sweepstakes, granting him the rights to operate a popular local route for the Swiss national postal and transportation service. He buys his first motorcoach to help, launching the modern motorcoach touring business we know today. Mantegazza calls his venture Globus Viaggi.[“How Globus Viaggi Was Born,” by Sergio Mantagazza]
Late-1930s
Mantegazza grows Globus to a fleet of 12 coaches, operating local tours for European travelers in Switzerland. His company takes a brief hiatus during the World Wars.[“Tour companies offering more independence,” Chicago Tribune, June 24, 2001 (written by Harry Shattuck, Houston Chronicle)][[http://www.groupvoyagers.com/index.php/do/history Group Voyagers - Globus family of brands Offers Affordable Vacations and Premium Travel]]
Mid-1940s
Globus Viaggi acquires two competing coach companies, growing the business to a fleet of 33 coaches (the nearest competitor owns just five coaches). During this time, Mantegazza meets Werner Albek who becomes a partner, helping Globus Viaggi operate excursions to St. Moritz, Milan, Venice, Rome and other popular European destinations.[“How Globus Viaggi Was Born,” by Sergio Mantagazza]
Early-1950s
The Globus portfolio expands, including Switzerland, Italy, the French Riviera, Scandinavia, Holland, Belgium and England. During these years, Globus launches the first "circular tours" offering a more complete travel experience. [“How Globus Viaggi Was Born,” by Sergio Mantagazza][[http://www.groupvoyagers.com/index.php/do/history Group Voyagers - Globus family of brands Offers Affordable Vacations and Premium Travel]]
Mid-1950s
Taking a page from the legendary Grand Tours of Europe, Globus launches Grand European Touring, offering first-class European tours, an offering that becomes the cornerstone of the company's entry into the U.S. market.[“Wanderlust: A Social History of Travel,” by Laura Byrne Paquet][[http://www.travelagentcentral.com/travelagentcentral/Tours+%26+Packages/Improving-With-Age/ArticleLong/Article/detail/51967?searchString=Globus%20Change Improving With Age - Travel Agent Central]][“Globus Change,” Travel Agent magazine, March 22, 1999][[http://www.groupvoyagers.com/index.php/do/history Group Voyagers - Globus family of brands Offers Affordable Vacations and Premium Travel]]
Late-1950s
Globus enters the U.S. market and Antonio Mantegazza's son Sergio aids in the development of the family-owned company.[[http://www.travelagentcentral.com/travelagentcentral/Tours+%26+Packages/Improving-With-Age/ArticleLong/Article/detail/51967?searchString=Globus%20Change Improving With Age - Travel Agent Central]][“Globus Change,” Travel Agent magazine, March 22, 1999][[http://www.groupvoyagers.com/index.php/do/history Group Voyagers - Globus family of brands Offers Affordable Vacations and Premium Travel]]
1961
Globus launches Cosmos, featuring affordable, value-priced European touring for the cost-conscious traveler.[[http://www.travelagentcentral.com/travelagentcentral/Tours+%26+Packages/Improving-With-Age/ArticleLong/Article/detail/51967?searchString=Globus%20Change Improving With Age - Travel Agent Central]][“Globus Change,” Travel Agent magazine, March 22, 1999][[http://www.groupvoyagers.com/index.php/do/history Group Voyagers - Globus family of brands Offers Affordable Vacations and Premium Travel]][[http://www.groupvoyagers.com/index.php/do/history Group Voyagers - Globus family of brands Offers Affordable Vacations and Premium Travel]]
Mid-1960s
Cosmos begins offering air holiday packages to sunny destinations in Southern Europe.[[http://www.groupvoyagers.com/index.php/do/history Group Voyagers - Globus family of brands Offers Affordable Vacations and Premium Travel]]
1968
Cosmos air holidays become so popular, Globus forms its own airline, Monarch Airlines.[[http://www.groupvoyagers.com/index.php/do/history Group Voyagers - Globus family of brands Offers Affordable Vacations and Premium Travel]][“How Globus Viaggi Was Born,” by Sergio Mantagazza]
1974
Under the flagship of Sergio Mantegazza, son of Antonio (the current president of Globus), the company's brands begin expanding their markets into countries around the world. The company launches its North American branch - Group Voyagers, Inc. - to oversee U.S. operations. [“Globus Change,” Travel Agent magazine, March 22, 1999]
1980s
Globus is one of the world's largest tour operators, offering vacations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe, Africa, the South Pacific, Asia and South America.[[http://www.groupvoyagers.com/index.php/do/history Group Voyagers - Globus family of brands Offers Affordable Vacations and Premium Travel]]
2003
Globus grows exponentially, launching both Avalon Waterways (river cruising) and Monograms (independent travel).[[http://www.groupvoyagers.com/index.php/do/history Group Voyagers - Globus family of brands Offers Affordable Vacations and Premium Travel]]
2008
The Globus family of brands is the world's largest tour operator with more than 30 tourism and aviation businesses around the world, serviced by a group of more than 5,000 professionals worldwide. Together, Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways, carry more than 500,000 passengers a year.[[http://www.groupvoyagers.com/index.php/do/history Group Voyagers - Globus family of brands Offers Affordable Vacations and Premium Travel]][[http://www.travelagentcentral.com/travelagentcentral/Tours+%26+Packages/Improving-With-Age/ArticleLong/Article/detail/51967?searchString=Globus%20Change “Improving with Age: Globus and Cosmos Celebrates 75 Years of Being an Industry Innovator,” “Travel Agent magazine]]