One of Britain’s favourite sons, James Hoseason OBE has passed away at the age of 82.

Recognised by the travel industry as a true pioneer, he assumed control of Hoseasons Holidays back in 1950 and transformed the business until his retirement in 1999, leaving behind one of the UK’s leading travel companies and a fond legacy.

Widely recognised as a visionary, his leadership inspired Hoseasons to attempt many innovations which at the time were unheard of including such notables as computerised reservations, direct phone reservations and the requests for ‘dial-a-brochure’.

Hoseasons became famous for its iconic television advertisements for self-catering British holidays.

As a leading figure in the UK travel industry Hoseason was a member of the board for the English Tourist Board and also a fellow with Chartered Institute of Marketing and founding member of UK’s Tourism Society. He was awarded an OBE in 1990 for his services to tourism.

Hoseason was born in the Shetlands in 1927 and grew up in Suffolk’s Lowestoft where he was raised by his harbourmaster father Wally. Wally began to hire boats out around the Norfolk Broads area in 1944, acting on behalf of boat owners. Young James, then a civil engineer, assumed the mantle of running the operation upon the death of his father.

He oversaw the business through rapid growth in the following decades, with the addition of holiday cottages and parks to the portfolio. The company still handles over one million customers every year.

James Hoseason leaves behind three sons and his widow.