Bartlett Tours to have new owners after 19 years

Bartlett Tours held two meetings Monday, March 19 to celebrate the tour company entering it’s 20th year in Lake Havasu City. Invited guests were those that had traveled with Bartlett Tours in the last five years. Over 300 were in attendance. Founders and owners Gordon and Patty Bartlett, announced the pending sale of the tour company to Michael and Leeann Keys, local residents since 1998. The sale was final on May 15, 2012, and the Bartlett’s are working closely with the new owners to ensure a smooth transition.

Since 1993, the Bartlett’s have designed, marketed and escorted 170 tours and cruises, all departing from Lake Havasu City. The destinations have been mainly in the Western states but have also included multiple tours to Europe, Mexico, Canada, Alaska, the Panama Canal, Tahiti, Australia and New Zealand, Hawaii, New England and Branson. Gordon stated that a total of 7,277 guests have traveled with Bartlett Tours over the past 19 years.

At the meetings, Gordon reviewed tours over the past 19 years and recognized over 50 travelers that had been on at least 15 tours by presenting them with a London Bridge Rotary coin. The record holder is Mrs. Wyndol Hicks, 92 years of age, who has traveled with the Bartlett’s since 1994 and has been on 58 tours and cruises. Mrs. Hicks has three more tours scheduled for this year.

Mike Keys announced that they will retain the Bartlett Tours company name, website address and phone number.  In a “pledge card” handed out after the announcement, the Keys’ stated that they were “honored and excited to carry on the traditions of Bartlett Tours and are dedicated to ensuring the quality care and service” that the Bartlett’s have provided since 1993.

Gordon and Patty intend to stay in Lake Havasu City. They announced at the meetings that they will be doing something they’ve always wanted to do - travel. Gordon also has plans to write an e-book on how to start and operate a successful tour business in a remote location (more than 100 miles from an airport).

An article regarding the sale was printed on page 8 of the Havasu News Herald today, March 19, 2012.

Gordon and Patty thank everyone who has traveled with them since 1993 and provided such great memories!