The company was created in 1965 when Thomson Corporation of Canada acquired four tour operators, Skytours, Riviera, Luxitours and Gaytours as well as the airline Britannia Airways, and named the combined business Thomson Travel.

[1] In 1970, the business was re-launched as "Thomson Holidays" under the leadership of Bryan Llewellyn as managing director.

[3] In 1981, Thomson Holidays were the first recorded users of Business-to-Business online shopping.

[4] The business was floated on the London Stock Exchange with a valuation of £1.7 billion as Thomson Travel in May 1998.

[5][6] In 2000, Thomson Travel was acquired by Preussag AG, an industrial and transport conglomerate.