Firm celebrates 25-year journey

Don and Marie Adams (centre front) of Take It Easy Tours were on the road again this week, 25 years after taking their very first tour party. Standing behind them are their office administrator Karlene Wagstaff and driver Jim Hulbert. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 211013WCSMTOURS2

Don and Marie Adams have been handling tour parties for a quarter of a century and yesterday they celebrated that milestone by retracing the route of their very first tour group.

On that trip in 1988 it was a minivan of clients on a one-day journey from the city to Cross Hills Gardens near Feilding and return.

Yesterday's re-enactment involved two buses with 90 passengers.

Many of those joining the trip yesterday were people who have been their clients for almost all of those 25 years.

Mrs Adams said some of those first-timers were now in retirement homes and, while they did not make the trip, Mr and Mrs Adams were going to visit them later, giving each of them a piece of the company's anniversary cake.

"All these people are very special to us. They have struck up some wonderful friendships and have become life-long friends with us as well," she said.

Since setting up the business Mr Adams said there were not many parts of the country where Take It Easy Tours had not taken customers.

Destinations have included Molesworth Station and the remote farms up the Rakaia Valley.

Overseas trips continue to take in Australian centres and Norfolk Island. Mrs Adams has made 20 trips to Norfolk leading tour parties. They said they never thought the business would evolve the way it has given its very basic beginnings.

"It's filled such a niche for so many people, many of them who are on their own.

"It's that social connection they treasure," Mrs Adams said.