Who We Are

Sun Island Tours was established in 1989 as a specialist wholesaler for the Mediterranean and Middle East.

Thirty years later we are still offering the same specialised, niche product in the Mediterranean and Middle East. Our core destinations include Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey. Whilst we offer the largest range of tours, cruises and packages in the region, we are also able to offer tailor made packages to suit any type of traveller.

Why Book With Sun Island Tours

Why Book With Sun Island Tours

Sun Island Tours has been operating as an Australian owned, family business for over 30 years.

Throughout the years, we have sent over 300,000 Australians and New Zealanders to the Mediterranean and Middle East. Through continued feedback, staff experiences and training, as well as refining and hand picking our ground suppliers, we are able to offer the very best solution for any travel needs to the Mediterranean and Middle East – whether it be accommodation, a small group tour, a private island hopping package or a cruise.

  • All our escorted coach tours are guaranteed. Which means if you are booked and confirmed on the tour, it will definitely go ahead
  • We can tailor make a package to suit your needs. Our travel experts with years of experience are from or have travelled extensively in the Mediterranean and Middle East
  • We have licensed travel partners in each destination, ensuring that you are supported both in the product sourcing and booking process as well as when you’re on your trip
  • We are licensed and accredited with the Australian Federation of Travel Agents and the Council of Australian Tour Operators
  • We have the largest range of tours, cruises and packages in the Mediterranean and Middle East

Family Owned and Operated since 1989

Polyviou Family Photo

Sun Island Tours Polyviou Family Photo

Sun Island Tours was established in 1989 by Lakis & Celia Polyviou. Celia worked in Travel Agencies in Cyprus and the United Kingdom before coming to Australia. Lakis had worked at Ansett as well as Greek Travel Agencies during his youth. In 1976 he set up his own retail travel agency – Kyrenia Travel – specialising in the Greek and Cypriot VFR (Visiting Friends & Relatives) market. Within a matter of a few years, Kyrenia Travel quickly became one of the fastest growing and most respected travel agencies in the Greek community.

Early on, Lakis would open the White Pages and reach out with hand written letters to every resident with a Greek sounding surname. He would then ensure that he was at the airport to send off all of his clients on their trips to Greece and Cyprus. The personal touch was greatly appreciated, as Lakis would advocate on behalf of his clients to the airline (sometimes right up until boarding!) and solve issues from overweight luggage to seat allocations. Word spread and as travellers took more trips, their travel style began to evolve. Lakis’ clients began expanding their travels beyond visiting friends and relatives as they added more holiday destinations.

Finding a specialised wholesaler in Australia to organise accommodation, tours and cruises in Greece and Cyprus was extremely difficult. The lack of industry knowledge and targeted relationships, meant that prices were high and there wasn’t any specialised, unique or tailor made product. So in 1989, Lakis and Celia established Kyrenia Tours, which a year later became Sun Island Tours, a subsidiary of Kyrenia Travel Service. The first Sun Island Tours brochure was released with a focus on Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Turkey and Egypt.

Ten years later, Lakis and Celia’s two sons Paul and John had joined the team. With it they brought a new perspective and fresh ideas, while still ensuring that Sun Island Tours focused on the core destinations of the Mediterranean and Middle East. Over 30 years later, Sun Island Tours has expanded the destinations we specialise in, but still maintained our core – featuring the largest range of product as well as tailored specialised services in Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey.