I’ve got some exciting news which I need to share with you all today.
Over the last few months I have been working on an extra special mission, one which required me to be very secretive which is completely out of character as regular readers of this blog will know! I am someone who is totally committed to telling you just how it is which is why I wanted you to be the first to share our news today.
I am delighted to announce that Bales Worldwide has finalised an agreement for our purchase by Virgin Holidays and we are now officially part of the Virgin Holidays family. This will mean many exciting additions to our amazing business here both for our staff and our customers.
As many of you may know Bales was set up by my father, George Bales in 1947. So today, Tuesday 15th December 2009 is another major milestone in our long history.
I say this will mean some “additions” not changes because the core of what has made Bales Worldwide successful over the last 62 years will remain the same.
As part of our new Virgin Holidays family, it will be very much ‘business as usual’ and yes, that includes me and my regular ramblings on this blog! I will be remaining as managing director and will continue to be involved in all aspects of the operation. For our clients, there will be no changes to your travel plans and Bales will carry on doing what we do best, planning and organising inspirational journeys around the world.
I have been bursting to tell you this exciting news which I feel puts Bales alongside a widely respected leading name in the world of travel and at the same time enables us to keep all the things we love about Bales. Teaming up with Virgin opens a new chapter for us and one which I am sure my father would be proud of.
Please do let me know if you have any questions or comments about our exciting news. You can email me at mnickerson@balesworldwide.com.
About Mandy Nickerson
Other articles by Mandy Nickerson
Mandy endeavours to share her travel experiences (where she will 'tell it like it is') and also detail the latest exciting projects that she is involved in.
Mandy welcomes your feedback - please feel free to submit your thoughts, queries, comments and theories below. 
We wish all at Bales every success in this exciting new beginning. May the great family tradition long continue within this exciting new framework
from your friends at McCabe Pilgrimages
Hey – congrats on the great news!
Look forward to following your blog as you go through these exciting changes!
Best of luck
The Unexpected Traveller
Good luck. I think Virgin have a got a great deal – imagine what they would have paid for you 18 months ago!. Still, no point looking backwards.
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Wishing yoy all the best. Since our first Bales tour on the Nile, I think of you whenever we travel. ACC
Thats good news gives you a great backing in the name of Virgin/Bales
good news for the industry. you have hooked up to a very progressive firm, which should be good news for all your customers
I hope Bales keeps its spirit and its excellent employees despite big brother taking over.
I am supprised that nobody has mentioned the new brochure format. I allways preferred the old style of brochure where each area in the world had its own brochure, the new inspirational brochure is very hard work and makes it difficult to find tours. I prefer small group tours, but they appear to have been cut dramatically. Also the duration of tours appear to have been cut. Ilike my tours to be at least two weeks long. Tailor made is fine but it is nice to have new people to talk to.
Colin Johnson