Collette has been around since 1918, started as a motor-coach operator on the East Coast. My father, Dan, took ownership in 1962, focusing on the business but also engaging in the community.
In 1964, my father took my siblings and me on a trip to the New York World's Fair. The fair highlighted how technology was shrinking the globe, making it clear that travel beyond regional motor-coach tours was the future.
Today, much of my focus is on new opportunities, on new ways of doing business at Collette. I'm on the road 100-plus days a year looking at new destinations and getting a sense for what guests want. Product lines are constantly evolving.
Last year, we launched spotlight tours, which feature single hotel stays in cities that customers love. We've identified opportunities in new destinations such as Myanmar, Vietnam and India. Our research says customers want more immersive and personal experiences in food and wine.
At the same time our business has expanded across the globe, however, one thing has stayed the same: the Sullivan family's desire to give back to the community. Collette employees have four hours each month to give back to organizations in Rhode Island and southeastern New England that focus on hunger, education and children. Worldwide, Collette has built community centers, orphanages and schools in Cambodia, Peru, Kenya and South Africa.
As we approach our centennial anniversary, I'm excited to continue to grow and change with the world while remaining true to the values we've held over the past 98 years. •