Nearly 100 years of experience in passenger transportation
Brouwer Tours is a family-owned business with a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. What once began as a small horse-drawn carriage service in Noordwijk has grown into a leading company in coach transportation, taxi services, and group transportation in the Netherlands.
The Beginnings: From Horse and Carriage to Passenger Transport
Around 1900, Piet Brouwer started his business on Voorstraat in Noordwijk. Using a horse-drawn carriage, he transported everything that was needed: from straw and peat moss to entire household goods and even wedding parties.
In 1927, he took a significant step by purchasing his first taxi, which allowed him to begin transporting passengers in comfort. A few years later, in 1931, he teamed up with Smederij De Haas to build one of the first tour buses by converting a Dodge truck into a passenger bus. With this, he laid the foundation for today’s tour bus company.
Growth and Specialization Within the Family
In the 1950s, the company’s operations were divided among the founder’s sons. Cees Brouwer took over the coach and taxi operations and continued to run the business. In 1967, the company moved to Zeestraat in Noordwijk.
During this period, the customer base grew significantly. An increasing number of clients utilized the transportation services, including companies that arranged for foreign workers to be transported to the ports of Rotterdam. Brouwer Tours thus developed into a reliable partner in professional passenger transportation.
The 1980s: Growth and Strategic Decisions
The 1980s marked a major turning point for Brouwer Tours. By the 1970s, the company had already made a name for itself as a tour operator and, among other things, served as the ANWB’s regular carrier for trips throughout Europe. In addition, under the name “Happy Holidays,” the company organized trips to Spain, including accommodations.
In 1980, Brouwer Tours was also one of the first coach companies to offer winter sports shuttle services, which were hugely popular at the time.
In 1985, Peter and John Brouwer took over the company. They brought greater focus to operations and made quality a top priority. In 1992, an important strategic decision was made: the company stopped organizing tours and focused entirely on coach and taxi services. This decision led to strong growth and further professionalization.
A Modern Family-Owned Business in Noordwijk
Around the year 2000, Brouwer Tours moved to a modern facility on Keyserswey in Noordwijk, located in the ’s-Gravendijck business park. This location offers excellent accessibility and still serves as the base for all transportation services.
Today, Brouwer Tours has grown into an experienced and reliable transportation company with nearly 100 years of experience. With a modern fleet and a strong focus on quality, safety, and service, the company provides daily coach and taxi services for both business and private customers.