Mike Coles has been in the travel business in one form or another since 1964. From then until 1984 he worked for a local shipping company in Teignmouth and boarded over 9,000 ships during those years. Included in his many jobs was booking seaman's tickets to many parts of Europe and North Africa.

During 1981, after a visit to India to visit his sister, friends started asking him for special rate airline tickets. Seeing the potential he founded 'Mike Coles World-Wide Travel'. On 1st November 1984 he went full time and employed his sister, for one day a week, who was then back in the UK.

The business expanded and in 1989 Mike and his wife Faith, purchased a retail property in Exeter. In the same year the company obtained an ABTA Licence and became a member of ABTA - The Association of British Travel Agents.  As well as serving the public direct the telephone operation side of the business continuing to expand.

In 1991 the company obtained an ATOL Licence and became a member of the CAA - Civil Aviation Authority. Being members of ABTA and the CAA the agency guarantees the safety of public money and also adheres to the many regulations of booking travel arrangements.

Since the start of the business the company has been very fortunate in having excellent staff.  The benefits of having a very low staff turnover have been proved over and over again.
Many of our staff have stayed with us for 6/9 years, some of our present staff 15/16 years +

The company has always endeavoured to keep up to date with the latest technology and has been using computers since 1986 when we purchased some of the first Amstrad PCW's  on the market.
We turned one on last year and it still worked after 20 years!.

With over 24 years in the travel business, personal help and advice is a top selling point. With managerial and staff experiences that include staying in rat infested rooms in the bush in Africa, to sailing on the QE2 and 5 star hotels, personal experiences certainly contributes to close a deal!
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A FEW NAMES AMONGST MANY WE ARE PROUD OF...

SARAH L.
Started in 1986 and was a key person in establishing the business, stayed 5 years.
Then moved on to work for a Children's Charity Mission in Canada.

LINDSEY  
Started  in 1987 and went on to be a top sales person for AMEX TRAVEL stayed with us for 8 years.

DONNA
Started in 1989 and  has been a wonderful helper...in 2008 she is still helping!

JANICE
Started in 1992 and is a jewel! 2008..still with us.

KATHY C
Started in 1999 ...one word for her....EXCELLENT...after 8 years and then married she left for China in August 2007 to teach English with Pete her husband.

JON
Never employed but since 1986 a great friend of the company and very supportive in many ways
In 2008 still a great friend.

RUSSELL
Never employed as such but since mid nineties - a friend who always is there for computer
assistance, as I am convinced that the perfect computer has yet to be invented!

FAITH -Mike's wife - Just about impossible to operate the business without her. A wonderful support.

MIKE
Himself...well I am the privileged one...privileged because without the support of many including
those above - the thing wouldn't have happened!!!
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There are of course many others, right up to date, 
LORNA P
started Sept 2004 for 12 months worked her gap year.
NATALIE
started Saturday mornings in Nov 2003.
SARAH CK
started beginning 2004
SUE B
started Oct 2005

                                                      ...and the above very small part of the story!

CALL US NOW FOR
        RESERVATIONS INFORMATION
                 ASSISTANCE & ADVICE

MIKE COLES WORLDWIDE TRAVEL

01392 219 499 / 422 090
e mail sales@mikecolestravel.co.uk

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