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From Kitchen Table to Industry Leader in 21 Years

The Story of DriveAway Holidays' Rise to the Top

DRIVEAWAY Holidays that began with two people working out of the kitchen of a suburban Sydney home in August 1988, this week celebrates twenty-one years as Australia’s premier specialist in car rental worldwide and leasing in Europe.

And in that time it’s also risen to become one of the country’s largest travel wholesalers, has been admitted to the National Travel Industry Award’s Hall of Fame after being named Best Car Rental Wholesaler for three consecutive years, and now employs almost 100 people.

DriveAway was founded by Michael Hay and Mark Anderson, with Hay and Anderson writing the company’s first advertisements and its first brochure on Michael’s Hay’s kitchen table, and using a single phone line to talk to potential suppliers around the world.

When bookings started to roll in, the duo moved to their “first real office” at Manly on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, and putting on staff.

Michael Hay says that reaching twenty-one and being recognised by its peers has been a great thrill for everyone now associated with DriveAway Holidays. “We started as a couple of starry-eyed young business partners looking to take on the world – albeit from my kitchen table to start! – and subsequently DriveAway Holidays achieved many of those aspirational dreams.

“Over the years consistent superior customer service, exceptional rates and great staff have taken DriveAway to the top.

“Current economic conditions have made us even keener to stay in front of the competition, and as part of our 21st anniversary celebrations we’ll be announcing some very exciting new global and domestic offerings,” he said.

Issue Date: 26 August 2009