Charles and Betty Flemming, traveling to Europe in 1978, became intrigued by the operation of the many tour groups they saw visiting the continent. Thus inspired, in 1981 they founded flemming tours, intending only to create a small livelihood for their approaching retirement years, but by 1985, the business had become so successful that Charlie retired early to devote his full time to the company. Betty started as a group leader herself, joining clubs and organizations to locate interested travelers, but eventually became a true sales and spokesperson, developing her skills as a speaker and entertainer to attract new customers. From the outset the Flemmings specialized in quality tours, low prices, and low overhead, which they credit for their success in putting countless trips “on the road” filled with happy travelers. Charlie and Betty joined the National Tour Association in 1987. In early 1993, the Flemmings sold their company to Robert Hoelscher, who had been designing and operating their air/motorcoach “intermodal” tour programs under the auspices of his NTA-member employers for over ten years, and with whom they already had established an excellent long-term relationship.

Robert Hoelscher, President, began his 34 years in the group travel industry upon graduation from Washington University in 1970, starting with the AAA Auto Club of Missouri and continuing with management positions at three other respected tour operators. Bob earned designation as a Certified Travel Counselor in 1981, as a Certified Tour Professional in 1986, and as a Master Cruise Counselor in 1996. He has traveled extensively through all 50 states and Canada, visited some 325 units of the U.S. National Park Service, made 29 trips to Europe, toured Mexico, the Caribbean, the Middle East, South America, Antarctica, the Orient…altogether over 80 countries on six continents…and sailed on 69 cruises aboard 61 ships.

A member of the National Tour Association since 1978, Bob was elected to a three-year term on the NTA Board of Directors in 1991, and for two-year terms in both 1996 and 2002. In 2004, he was elected to the association’s Executive Committee, and currently serves as 2008 NTA Chairman and CEO. He has served numerous years on the NTA Government Relations, Education, Marketing, Member Services, Strategic Planning, “Working Together,” and many Convention Committees, Ballot Sub-Committee, National Tour Foundation Board of Trustees and Finance Task Force. During 2002, Bob and flemming tours became founding members of Travel Alliance Partners, Inc., a cooperative marketing and sales effort of 35 separate NTA member tour operators. From 2002 to 2006, he served on the TAP Board of Directors, as well as the chair of the TAP Cruise Committee. Additionally, Bob has taken very active roles in both the Group Leaders of America (GLAMER) and Bank Travel Network organizations, participating annually and presenting seminar programs at numerous group travel marketplaces from coast to coast. In December 1998, he was one of the first recipients of the “Group Travel Industry
Leader for the Year Award,” instituted by GLAMER and its monthly publication, The Group Travel Leader. In October 2006, he received the initial GLAMER™ 500 Club Award, signifying the first person to personally attend 500 GLAMER Marketplaces.

Expanding the horizons of flemming tours has been one of Hoelscher’s goals. In late 1998, the business of NTA member operator Sunshine Holidays, Belleville, Illinois, was acquired. In early 2000, Ozark Mountain Tour & Travel, one of Branson’s leading receptive operators, was also purchased. In mid-2000, Cartier Travel & Cruises in St. Louis (now renamed Luxury Travel Specialists), a member of the prestigious Virtuoso organization (formerly API) and recognized experts in luxury and adventure travel, became another flemming tours acquisition. During 2001, one of the oldest travel agencies in the Midwest, Foster Travel Service, established in 1927, was also acquired. Also in 2001, flemming tours passed the $20 million mark in annual sales for the first time. In late 2002, Bob relocated to Cedar City, Utah, where he established the company’s receptive tour division specializing in the American Southwest, Color Country Adventures. He has been able to leave the company’s St. Louis, headquarters behind primarily due to the extremely able assistance of General Manager Julie Fish, who has not only been with flemming tours since late 1993, but has worked with Bob for 25 of her 29 years in the tour industry.

As flemming tours celebrates its anniversary, the original vision is still the guiding philosophy. Welcome to an exciting flemming tours journey!