After a career of almost 54 years in tourism, Loek Houtenbos (Isropa/&Olives Travel) has decided to stop permanently. The entrepreneur has informed friends, family and colleagues. Houtenbos started in tourism in May 1970. His first work consisted of stapling airline tickets and copying hotel lists for bus drivers. ‘Since then, I have been involved in bus, train and car travel, city trips, cruises and finally the Middle East. All with almost always a lot of fun. I traveled a lot, made friends and unfortunately also some enemies. But not much.’ Houtenbos, who recently turned 76, was the face of Isropa for a long time as director. After Isropa announced its bankruptcy at the end of October 2013, he decided, together with Ahmad Afifi (director/owner of the Israeli Nazarene Tours) and Dick Hakkenbroek (Aan Zee and VillaXL), to breathe new life into the Middle East specialist. Initially under the name New Isropa, later as &Olives Travel. In 2016, he took a step back, but remained available as a shareholder one day a week. Houtenbos has now decided that enough is enough. “Last August, I made my shares in the company available to the other shareholders and as of January 1, 2024, I will no longer be actively involved in Bergerbos/ Isropa/ &Olives Travel,” reports Houtenbos, who says that he is still available as an advisor (if necessary) for the Afifi family, Dick Hakkenbroek and the current director Christina Zandberg. Photo: Loek Houtenbos and his wife Elise.
