Toucan Travel founder Terry Thornhill dies aged 83

The founder of Toucan Travel and one of the earliest members of the Advantage Travel Partnership has died aged 83.

Terry Thornhill’s career in the travel industry started when he opened his first branch of Toucan Travel in Tadley, Basingstoke in 1982, which saw him lead group trips to Europe, Thailand, China and Florida.

Prior to that, he ran a taxi and chauffeur business in Basingstoke with his wife, Barbara.

Thornhill went on to expand Toucan Travel to seven branches in a 40-mile radius of Hampshire and Berkshire, before placing the agency into administration in October 2020 due to financial challenges caused by the Covid pandemic, saying the business “simply could not continue to trade under current circumstances”.

Toucan Travel was a founding member of the Advantage Travel Partnership in the early 80s and Thornhill was “instrumental in the early days and a loyal supporter throughout his membership”, said a spokesperson for the consortium.

Thornhill, who died on July 3, was also involved in organising holidays for disabled people throughout his career, as a tour leader for local charity ICE.

This led to him being awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the disabled community, alongside his other charity work.

Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said said: “We will remember Terry as a much-loved character in the industry with a huge passion for travel.

“He was a founding member of Advantage and without him we would not be where we are today. We will miss Terry and our thoughts and prayers go to his wife Barbara and his family.”

Thornhill leaves his wife of 61 years Barbara, three daughters, five grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Thornhill’s funeral is set to take place at Basingstoke Crematorium on July 30. Email becky.black@advantagetravelpartnership.com for more details.