CAREFREE TRAVEL
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Care Free Travel’s founder, Kathleen (Kathy) Nooyen, had a childhood dream of becoming a flight attendant. She was drawn to the idea of serving others while traveling the world. This was no small dream for a shy farmers daughter from Luxemburg, Wisconsin, who, until she and a friend flew to Europe at the age of 21, had not been on a plane before or, for that matter, had never left the state.
Years later, in 1978, with two young daughters at home, she was working as a school bus driver and had just begun to go to school for her associate degree in Business Marketing. A a family friend asked if she would be willing to organize and drive the bus for a trip to the Milwaukee zoo. Soon after that very successful trip, after which many told her “you should do more of this!”, she saw an ad in the newspaper for a Tour Director. Although she didnt get the job, her childhood dream had been revived.
With the knowledge gained from her coursework, a strong will, and the support of her husband, Bob, Kathy established CareFree Travel in the basement of their home the small rural town of New Franken just east of Green Bay, Wisconsin. For the very first tours, she organized one-day excursions, hired a motor coach and driver, and advertised by posting newspaper ads and putting up posters in local businesses. As the length and number of these tours grew, her family grew as well. In 1979, soon after she escorted a tour to the House on the Rock, her youngest child, a son, was born.
Care Free Travel has seen many changes over the years. Typewriters have been replaced by computers and this website. In 1993, a West Coast branch of Care Free Travel was opened in Tacoma, Washington. Not long after, in 1997, an extension was built to the Nooyen family home to accommodate the growing business. Dedicated to learning, Kathy continues to take courses, attend conferences, and participate in Familiarization Tours to improve upon and expand what she can offer her customers.
With her dream now an established reality, one thing is quite clear to all those who have been lucky enough to meet her: Kathy is no longer shy. She credits her newfound confidence and limitless energy to her customers. As you will hear her say at the end of every tour she escorts (something she still frequently does): “Please give yourself a hearty round of applause. You’re awesome and I thank you from the bottom of my heart – for without you, there would be no CareFree Travel. Nothing would make me happier than to see each an every one of you on another tour very soon.”