MAASKANT
1923 - Coach company “De Maaskant” is founded and starts servicing local communities.
1938 - First member of the Smits family takes over the company, it now owns 2 coaches
1940 - After the outbreak of WWII Dutch Red Cross requisites one of the two coaches to transport wounded soldiers. After 6 weeks it returns to the company in Red Cross livery
1950 - The company still owns 2 coaches and besides the regular services it starts organizing daytrips
1960 - The fleet consists of 3 coaches, first trips outside Holland. Two sons of Smits Sr. taking control of the company.
1969 - Maaskant is the proud owner of five coaches, active selling of trips abroad is started, specially school trips are very popular.
1970 - Joint venture with Emhage Travel from Chicago results in long lasting cooperation in executing Europe trips. This will last till 1985
1975 - Maaskant Travel is very successful in organizing schooltrips for many schools to various European destinations, thanks to a special brochure for this market. The fleet has grown to 10 coaches.
1980 - The company is executing trips for various third parties, among them the famous Neckermann-group. Trips to Spain are getting popular, also trips organised for newspapers. 20 people and 18 coaches are taking care of all this.
1982 - We start as a tour operator by distributing our first brochure, individuals can book our holidays now. Instant successes are Vienna, Lourdes & the Coasta Brava. The first 2 destinations are still going strong!
1990 - Opening of our new offices and workshops, already in 1991 the offices has to be expanded! Total number of our coaches is now 23 and staff 30
1995 - Maaskant Travel is celebrating being one of the 40 top tour operators in Holland
1996 - Tour operator Maaskant publishes 2 brochures a year, our product is sold by 450 travel agents and directly. On a yearly basis we provide holidays for 25.000 people with a turnover of almost € 8.000.00,- Our staff is 40 people and the fleet consists fo 25 coaches. 5 of wich renewed last year. The issue of our Big City brochure marks the 3rd. yearly brochure.
1998 - With 50 people employed we celebrate our 75th anniversary!
1999 - Already introduced in 1996 are now all our trips bookable via Internet. Also we are way ahead of times: Millenniumproof in Januari. .
2000 - With a staff of 45 we are taking the chalange of the new Millennium!
2002 - We keep our fleet up to date: No less then 6 coaches are aquired, one of which is our super luxurious Crow Coach.
2004 - Spreading our wings: Maaskant is expanding towards the ever growing Asian, American and Canadian market. More and more trips for operators from overseas are executed!
For more information: www.maaskant.com