Travel industry leader announces retirement plans
Travel guru Phil Hoffmann will step back from the day-to-day operations of the company he founded more than three decades ago.
Hoffmann, who will remain executive director of Phil Hoffmann Travel, will take on an ambassadorial role with the company and will also enjoy more down time with his family as part of newly announced retirement plans.
Hoffman told InDaily that he would still be around the travel industry, including with radio and seminar appearances, but not as deeply as in the past.
“It’s a big step, because when you’ve been going all those years, you suddenly think, ‘Oh, wow, you know, so no longer will I be going in early or staying late’ sort of thing,” said Hoffmann.
“It’s now semi-retirement to really retirement. And I’ve always had in my mind that when I get to 80, that’d be the time to completely hang up the boots. So, this is heading towards that age and stage in my life.
“I also want to be able to freely take away a lot of my grandchildren on trips with their mums and dads and show them the world that I’ve experienced over the last 45 years.”
Hoffmann said he is confident in the future direction of Phil Hoffmann Travel under the management of CEO Peter Williams, who he has worked with for 32 years.
“He really knows the business. He’s grown up with the business. I watched him from day one, and he always had the potential to lead the organisation,” he said.
“He’s very capable and has been driving the organisation for a long time now as CEO. So, I think he will probably have 10 more years in the chair and he’ll drive it to another level.”
Hoffmann said he was proud of what he and the team have built over the past 35 years.
Stay informed, daily
“Building something from zero, you know, we started in 1990 with two staff and myself, to the company that is now an iconic brand, and a brand that’s respected in the industry, both in Australia and worldwide, and I’m very proud of that and proud of what my staff have done over the 35 years in building that reputation,” said Hoffmann.
“The goals we set from day one, but never did I anticipate building a company of this size and achieving some of the success we had in terms of awards and everything else.
“I can have all the ideas in the world, but it has to happen at the coalface, and that’s what I’m proud of, what my staff have done with their clients in building lifelong clients and friends.”
Read Corporate Ladder every Monday in Business Insight for South Australia’s latest executive appointments.
