The Tribune

THE FOUNDER of one of the largest tour operators in the Caribbean passed away yesterday, The Tribune has learned.

Majestic Tours owner William “Billy” Saunders was found lifeless at his Paradise Island home around 9.30am, according to his family. He was 85.

Last night his grandson, AJ Saunders, paid tribute to “the leader of our family, the patriarch of our family”, describing Mr Saunders as a “pioneer in the transportation and tourism industry”.

“He built Majestic Tours from the ground up, from one car to a transportation and tourism empire,” he said. “He was to work every day, 8am every morning, and while he was not as active over the past few years he was around the

office and always gave

advice. He was still the face of the company.”

Mr Saunders founded Majestic Tours in 1958, tirelessly leading its growth to become the largest tour operator in The Bahamas and one of the largest in the Caribbean. The company was named the world’s best transfer company by Expedia, a leading online travel company, in 2003.

Despite his “rags to riches” story Mr Saunders never thought twice about sharing his wealth and good fortune with others, including his employees. His grandson described him as “very outgoing” and a “source of information and wisdom”.

Born and raised in The Bahamas, Mr Saunders dropped out of school at 14 to look after his mother at their house on Mackey Street, which had no electricity or indoor plumbing. He moved to Canada to work as an insurance salesman but after four years returned home, where after several jobs, including one with Nassau Tours, he took out a loan backed by Norman Solomon – for whom his wife was working – and founded Majestic in his late 20s. “He realised he could do it better,” his grandson said. “He had a vision.”

In 2002, Mr Saunders received the Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, presented to him by the Prince of Wales at London’s Buckingham Palace. The royal honour was bestowed in recognition for his services to tourism in The Bahamas, and followed his receipt of the Bahamas’ Order of Merit.

A Cacique Award recipient, Mr Saunders and his company went on to receive the Clement Maynard Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 for his work in the tourism business. Mr Saunders’ success was not without interruption along the way, including claims of victimisation from dismissed staff in 2001 and allegations of gun possession in 2005.

Mr Saunders lost his wife, Iris, in 2000 and leaves sons BJ and Scott and daughter Janis, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. His family have asked for their privacy to be respected.