After graduating from Aberdeen University in Scotland with a B.Sc. in Zoology in 1980, Norman set off to explore Asia, including 6 months in India alone. After much independent travel, Norman started his professional tour leading career with more than a year of guiding tours in Egypt. He then transferred to Turkey for a 6 month posting followed by various tours around the Middle East. He accepted the position of Operations Manager in the London head office of one of Britain's leading small group tour operators for a year before seizing the opportunity to move to Vancouver and become co-owner of a fledgling company which, over the next 10 years, he was to help grow into one of North America's largest tour companies. In 1998, he founded Royal Heights Tours and currently holds the post of President as well as being an active tour leader.

Originally a police officer, Gord was then the owner of a successful computer business for 30 years. A keen SCUBA diver, he has found time to achieve the coveted rank of PADI Divemaster. Meanwhile, Marilyn followed her own career as a legal assistant for over 40 years. For the past 45 years, Gord and Marilyn have "escaped" 2 or 3 times per year to explore the world. Their travels have taken them to over 60 countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Central & South America, Europe and South East Asia - sometimes on their own, sometimes as part of groups and at other times leading groups. Now out of the corporate world, they are devoting even more of their time to sharing their travel experience with our groups.