PR Release
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For further information contact: Jack Tacchino Lewis Travel & Cruises PH: (559) 431-1800 Fax: (559) 435-1879 Email: jtacchino@lewistravel.com |
TOP LOCAL TRAVEL AGENCIES MERGE
"All five of our companies have long and successful histories in this community." Mr. Lewis said, "Bringing these companies together provided the opportunity to further elevate our service capabilities. Additionally, this union created for us a tremendous buying power advantage. Increased size, and therefore volume, allows us to negotiate better pricing from travel suppliers. Better prices for us translates to better value for our customers."
Mark Lewis Travel Network has roots in the community since 1959. Returning from missionary work that had made Ellsworth & Lillian Lewis world travelers, they decided to start a travel agency in Visalia and put that expertise to work. Travels that included raising a family in the wilds of Africa provided valuable lessons about traveling abroad. A sincere caring attitude for client needs was evident and insured company success. In 1979, after learning the trade well, son Mark Lewis became the President of Lewis Travel and embarked on a road of expansion that established the Mark Lewis Travel Network with agencies in Fresno, Clovis, and Visalia. The consolidation of companies under the name Lewis Travel and Cruises has made the company the largest travel agency network in the Central Valley.
Beck & Duke Travel was established by Norman Beck and Bill Duke in 1960. Superior service for the upscale traveler was always their forte. In 1986, longtime employee, Bernadette Hansen and her husband Ken purchased the company and maintained Beck & Duke's stellar reputation. "I would never have considered this merger unless I was convinced the service level we have always provided would continue." Mrs. Hansen tells us, "The new arrangement allowed me to maintain, and even improve our service level."
A&D Travel was started in 1974 by Al and Donna Przecha primarily because of their extensive knowledge of and interest in Europe. Individual travel trips to Europe became their particular specialty. In 1988, longtime employee Helen Williams purchased the company and continued its successful tradition of service and attention to detail.
Tacchino Travel was launched in northwest Fresno by Jack Tacchino in 1977. Mr. Tacchino's corporate background in marketing and group meeting planning led to specializations in corporate travel and group travel. Keenly aware that superior travel knowledge and service were the keys to success, he proceeded to develop a staff of highly experienced, service oriented travel counselors. About the merger, Tacchino said "This was an exciting opportunity to tap into the talents of a large staff of wonderfully experienced travel counselors with a comprehensive marketing plan. We now have the kind of clout we need to bring this community the best travel values ever seen."
Tuschka-Lippert Travel began in 1966 as Wegener Tuschka Travel. Joanne Lippert purchased the agency in 1989 and soon acquired Daugherty Travel and Cardella Travel. Rapid growth with a fine staff soon positioned Tuschka-Lippert among the elite travel agencies in our area. When asked how she viewed the merger/acquisition, she said "Seeing the other high quality agencies merge with Lewis has been very tempting. It is a great opportunity to join a strong and reputable company to give us the volume we need to be competitive in today's market".
Along with the change of names, there was a change of address for the headquarters office, which is now located in the Lewis Travel & Cruises building at 2788 W. Bullard Avenue in Fresno. All of the Lewis Travel Fresno offices, as well as Tacchino Travel, Beck & Duke Travel, A&D Travel, and Tuschka-Lippert Travel are now located in the new building.
Lewis Travel and Cruises continues to maintain offices in Clovis and Visalia.
