In Memory of Avoya Founder Pal Anderson

Pal Anderson, who opened a travel agency in the 1960s that grew into industry blockbuster Avoya Travel, passed away on February 10 at age 96.

The Avoya travel chairman and founder is survived by Pat, his wife of 69 years, who helped him operate a Hawaiian tour company starting in 1964. After moving to California, the couple opened a retail travel agency in Escondido, which eventually became Anderson Travel and Cruises with 10 retail locations throughout San Diego.

Pal was an idea man who always embraced change. With sons Van and Brad, they guided the evolution of the brick-and-mortar travel agency chain into the innovative and award-winning company now known as Avoya Travel, which combines technology and human interaction with a network of 1,250 independent vacation planners.

Pal Anderson also is survived by eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Grandsons Jeffrey and Michael Anderson are now executive vice presidents of Avoya Travel.

Avoya has been an American Express Travel Representative for more than 30 years and is repeatedly named Travel Partner of the Year by numerous cruise lines. In January 2019, Avoya received gold Travvy Awards for Best Host Agency and Best Host Agency Website from travAlliancemedia. In 2016, Jeffrey Anderson received a Travvy Award for “Most Innovative Executive” in the travel agency category.

Pal’s life was celebrated at a private service on Feb. 14.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to Tourism Cares. The family fondly notes that aside from a donation, Pal’s wish would be for friends and family to see and experience the world together through travel.

Pal Anderson is remembered as an adventurer, an entrepreneur, a dreamer and pioneer. His zest for life, passion for travel, and appreciation for people and relationships left enduring impressions on all who knew him.

Born on May 15, 1922, in Los Angeles and raised in Colorado, Pal valued family above all else and was a traveler at heart. He attended the University of Colorado before serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, where he participated in the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944.

After his service, Pal finished his bachelor’s degree in economics and moved to Washington to work in his family’s automobile business. In 1950, Pal married his loving and supportive wife Pat. With their two sons, they took on life as one great adventure, living in Hawaii and Mexico at times before settling in the San Diego area.

One of the greatest honors in Pal’s travel career came in 2014 when he welcomed many colleagues and friends to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his family’s business.

TravelPulse joins the entire Avoya Travel family in extending our deepest sympathies to Pal’s wife, Pat, and his family.