Stanley Tollman

Stanley Tollman's interests run the gamut from food and wine to the protection of South African wildlife and art, but his first love is in the realm of travel and hospitality services. He was introduced to the field early in life, as his parents owned and operated a hotel and restaurant in Johannesburg, South Africa. As he grew up he developed a keen understanding of the needs of the clientele and how to best cater to its wishes. When he entered university, he took a part time job helping his mother in the kitchen at The Palace and later took over its complete management.

Passion for Elegant Cuisine

That first job at The Palace prepared the groundwork for a lifetime of work in food and beverage services as well as hospitality and travel. When he met Bea, whom he later married, they combined their mutual passion for quality cuisine and customer service by opening The Nugget. As Bea Tollman relates in her book, A Life in Food, they learned how to prepare simple but excellent dishes that marked the beginning steps towards success in this industry.

Famous Restaurants and High Hotels

The second hotel that Stanley Tollman established was The Hyde Park, which included The Colony eatery. In addition, he and his wife opened additional restaurants including The Contented Sole, The Hydaway, and South Africa's first supper club style discotheque, The Stable. The Stable became famous around the world as internationally renowned performers took to the stage, including Jean Sablon, Petula Clark and Trini Lopez. These successes were followed by constructing the Tollman Tower Hotel. Lauded as South Africa's tallest building, it was also listed as one of the top hotels in the world.

Beginning Again in the UK

In the 1970s there was a spike in interest rates that took a severe toll on Stanley Tollman's holdings, so he moved to the UK and started over. His family already owned a UK hotel and shares in Trafalgar Tours, a company that provides organized tour packages. He used those businesses to re-establish himself and eventually found The Travel Corporation, which today encompasses more than twenty different companies offering travel operator services worldwide. The Travel Corporation has made significant inroads and changes in the perception of organized travel through companies such as Red Carnation Hotels, Uniworld and Contiki Holidays.

The Travel Corporation Honors Stanley Tollman's 80th Birthday

Through the Travel Corporation, Stanley Tollman has taken a special interest in promoting travel to his native South Africa. The family-owned corporation recently held a sales conference in South Africa and used the opportunity to display the country's hidden natural wonders to the 350 tourism delegates that were in attendance. The event also honored Stanley Tollman's 80th birthday and in commemoration he made considerable contributions to several South African charities.

Sustainable Tourism and Environment Conservation

Along with having great interests in fine dining and high class wines, Stanley Tollman takes an active part in preserving wildlife in South Africa, which includes bringing native plants back to the region. He hopes that his efforts will help protect animals that are on the verge of extinction, such as cape leopards, cape zebras and extinct fish.

In taking part in the increasing awareness of the environment and the need for its preservation, the Travel Corporation has restated its firm commitment to this cause. Through its Contiki Holidays brand, which specializes in travel for youth, TTC has announced that it will partner with world renowned environmentalist Celine Coustea to promote their common goals of sustainable conservation, particularly in relation to marine ecosystems. Although many TTC brands participate in the Conservation Foundation activities, Contiki has been actively involved in two marine protection projects – the Mesoamerican Reef Leadership program and research work in the Mediterranean. This makes Contiki the perfect partner for Cousteau.