The story of Inghams - We know how, then and now
Inghams was founded by Walter Ingham in 1934, and has now been running for 90 years, hosting holidays that all celebrate our love for the great outdoors.
Walter was passionate about sharing all that our amazing planet has to offer with others from around Britain, be it cruising down a slope on skis, chasing the Northern lights on a sleigh or walking to the best view points across Europe.
We aim to carry on that sense of adventure in all our holidays to this day.
Skiing holidays Walking holidays Lapland holidays
1934
Walter Ingham began advertising his private ski party to the Austrian Tyrol in national newspapers at a cost of 12 guineas for 14 nights! The first group travelled out over the Christmas holiday. That same winter he organised four or five more trips to Austria.
1936
Walter extended operations into the French Alps in winter and French seaside resorts in Summer.
1939
When the war broke out, Walter joined the army, serving until 1948. Walter later re-started his travel business in New Bond Street. Copy right - https://alchetron.com/Walter-Ingham
1948
Christmas that year, it was time for celebration! The first post war ski party in the Dortmund Chalet of the Austrian Alpine Clun in Kuethai, Tyrol.
1950
The First snow trains to the Alps began and introduced 'dancing cars' in which customers would party the night away as they rattled across the continent.
1962
Walter sold the business to Hotelplan Ltd so he could get out from behind the desk and get back onto the slopes in the winter and sailing on his boat in the summer. By this point he was sending 14,000 people skiing per year.
1971
Inghams started to focus its attention on Austria, Italy and Switzerland, with prices from just £34-36 for eight days of skiing. Wouldn’t that be nice these days!
1977
Business was booming from Inghams Head office in Putney
1980
By the early 80's Inghams was carrying 52,000 passengers per year, of which 25,000 passengers were for summer.
1984
The golden year, Inghams celebrates their 50th Anniversary! Carrying 27,000 passengers for winter holidays.
1988
Between 1988-1993, Inghams voted Best Winter Sports Operator by Travel Agents
1997
Towards the end of the 90's, Inghams launched their holidays to Lapland, offering customers a unique travel experience.
1999
Ahead of the game, Inghams was the first UK ski company to take bookings online.
2008
2008 - Hotelplan purchased the award-winning walking holiday specialist, Inntravel, who are the UK's leading provider of self-guided walking.
2010- Hotelplan acquired the Enigma Travel Group, comprising of Santa’s Lapland.
2014 - Inghams celebrated its 80th anniversary, and by 2015 Hotelplan took acquisition of Explore Worldwide.
2023
Inghams rebranded with a renewed celebration of their passion for the great outdoors to encourage their guests to ski the slopes, walk the walks and explore the Lapland wilderness with a new feel and look to the brand.
2024
Today, we have 90 years of experience in providing specialist holidays to a global market. We aim to celebrate our past, but also our commitment to the future, with sustainability initiatives that measure our impact, reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate negative impacts. We hope to be operating holidays in the great outdoors, for many more years to come! Join us in celebrating our ski, walking and Lapland holidays and book today.
Celebrate 90 years of Inghams with an extra £90 off all holidays!
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