Olimar Reisen

Olimar Reisen (stylised as OLIMAR Reisen) is a German tour operator headquartered in Cologne. It was founded in 1972 by Werner Zahn, who had opened a small travel agency at Cologne's bus station in 1968, initially arranging bus and flight trips for Spanish and Turkish guest workers. The name OLIMAR is derived from the first names of his two eldest sons, Oliver and Markus. After Zahn's first trip to Portugal in 1971, the company shifted its focus towards Portugal, and it has since become one of the best-known Portugal specialists in the German-speaking world, marketing itself as "Die Nr. 1 für Portugal seit 1972" (the No. 1 for Portugal since 1972). The company's early business included charter flights home for Portuguese guest workers, and it gradually developed into a full tour operator. Its first travel catalogue, featuring a selection of city hotels in Lisbon, appeared in 1981. By 2001 the company reported annual sales of EUR 115 million. Over the years the head office moved several times within Cologne: from a provisional office at the bus station, via Unter Goldschmied in the old town and Pasteurstrasse in Niehl, to the historic Glockengasse in the city centre in 2009. Today the business is run by Werner Zahn's son, Pascal Zahn. OLIMAR offers package holidays, hotel-only bookings, round trips and rental cars, with a strong emphasis on Portugal and Southern Europe. Its portfolio covers destinations such as Portugal (including Madeira, the Azores and the Algarve), Spain, Italy (including Sicily), Croatia, Greece and the Cape Verde islands. The company positions itself as a sustainable travel provider with flexible booking and cancellation options and payment by invoice, and it publishes travel magazines and a blog to support its specialist positioning.

Olimar Reisen traces its origins to 1968, when Werner Zahn opened a small travel agency at Cologne's bus station (Kölner Busbahnhof). The agency initially organised bus and flight trips for Spanish and Turkish guest workers in Germany. In 1971 Zahn travelled to Portugal for the first time; the trip made a deep impression on him and became the turning point of the company's history. He later described the country as "green, friendly, beautiful, small and simply special". In 1972 Zahn founded Olimar Reisen in Cologne. The name was formed from the first names of his two eldest sons, Oliver and Markus. From the beginning the company focused on Portugal travel, home flights for Portuguese guest workers and initial tourist offerings. During the 1970s the Zahn family travelled to Portugal repeatedly to explore the country more intensively. In 1981 the first Olimar travel catalogue appeared, featuring a selection of city hotels in Lisbon. Over the following decades the company grew into a specialist for holidays in Portugal and expanded its programme to other Southern European destinations. In 2001 Olimar achieved annual sales of EUR 115 million. The company's headquarters moved several times within Cologne. It started in a provisional office at the bus station, later moved to Unter Goldschmied in Cologne's old town, then to Pasteurstrasse in the Niehl district, and in 2009 to the historic Glockengasse in the city centre. Today the business is led by Werner Zahn's son, Pascal Zahn. Olimar continues to market itself as "Die Nr. 1 für Portugal seit 1972" and offers travel to Portugal, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece and the Cape Verde islands, including regions such as Madeira, the Azores, the Algarve and Sicily.

• 2009

  Headquarters moves to the historic Glockengasse in Cologne city centre.

• 2001

  Olimar reports annual sales of EUR 115 million.

• 1981

  The first Olimar travel catalogue is published, featuring city hotels in Lisbon.

• 1974

  The Zahn family travels to Portugal again to explore the country more intensively.

• 1972

  Olimar Reisen is founded in Cologne; the name combines the first names of sons Oliver and Markus.

• 1971

  Werner Zahn travels to Portugal for the first time, inspiring the company's future focus.

• 1968

  Werner Zahn opens a small travel agency at Cologne's bus station, organising bus and flight trips for Spanish and Turkish guest workers.

Leading Portugal specialist and sustainable travel provider for the German-speaking market, offering flexible booking and personal service.

• Flight + hotel packages

  Package holidays combining flights and accommodation, primarily to Portugal and Southern Europe.

• Hotel-only bookings

  Accommodation-only bookings for independent travellers.

• Round trips

  Guided or self-guided round trips in Portugal and other destinations.

• Rental cars

  Car rental services as part of holiday packages or standalone.

1. 1Urlaub in Portugal und Südeuropa buchen | OLIMAR Reisenolimar.de
2. 2OLIMAR Erfolgsgeschichte – Vom Portugal‑Pionier zum Spezialistenolimar.de
3. 3Olimar Reisenwikidata.org
4. 4Olimar Reisende.wikipedia.org