Ed Coltart 1974-2016
After joining Seventy Ten Travel in September 2016, tragically Ed passed away in November at the very beginning of his new adventure. Although not with us in person, Ed is still very much a part of the company; Ed Burke and Rosie are continuing the work he started, especially in relation to helping those with reduced mobility enjoy travelling and skiing as much as he did. Those who knew Ed, will know he was the most kind, fun and warm-hearted person you could possibly meet and he will be sorely missed.
Ed originally started his career in travel as a reservations consultant with Kirker Holidays in 1998. Having graduated in French and German and always having an interest in travel, this seemed to be the perfect fit and he never looked back. The industry soon got under his skin and he rose through the ranks obtaining roles in contracting and product management whilst always keeping his hand in sales as he always believed this was the only way to stay on top of what is happening in travel.
Sadly a bout of ill health struck in 2005 and he suffered a spinal cord injury which left him partially wheelchair bound able only to walk with crutches. It was ‘sink or swim’ time and he chose to swim. This left Ed with a unique understanding of what it meant to travel with limited mobility and was hugely passionate about offering holidays to his clients who needed that extra bit of assistance along the way.
Ed travelled extensively through continental Europe as well as Egypt, Israel, Oman, Mauritius and South Africa. Particular highlights that he treasured included; being whisked across the Venice lagoon by private water taxi, being awoken at the Four Seasons Sultanahmet by the call to prayer in the heart of Istanbul! breakfasting on the terrace of the Belmond Caruso’s terrace overlooking the Mediterranean below, exploring the Christmas markets of Vienna’s Spittelberg district, driving through the lavender fields of Provence, a chilled glass of fino and a plate of Jamon on a sun soaked square in Seville.