Francis Custom Tours
About Our Business




When Mary and Jerry Francis bought Small World Travel in 1987, they never thought traveling would
become their lifestyle.  Jerry had left banking and joined the family farm several years earlier and Mary
had spent many years with Reynolds Metal Company.  Small World employed four travel agents and
started offering short motorcoach tours in the early 1990's.  In 1995 the Francis’s sold Small World
Travel and founded Francis Custom Tours.  Jerry joined the staff full time in 1997.  In June 2005, the
Francis’s daughter, Susan Brackett, became a partner and full-time tour planner and guide.   A year
later Francis Custom Tours purchased our new fully equipped motorcoach.

Today, with planner, travel agent , Susan Brackett, along with charter manager, Robert Wayman,
Francis Custom Tours offers short and long term escorted motorcoach tours as well as guided
international tours to fly-in destinations.  The company also provides the option of special packaged
vacations and booking of airline tickets for groups, individuals and families.  

After Kay's retirement in February of 2010, Kaye O'Neal came on board as our office manager.  Also,
after purchasing our second motorcoach in 2010, Philip Abernathy became our second driver.  


Why take a tour with Francis Custom Tours

Francis Custom Tours has an office in Arkadelphia that is open Monday through Friday with
knowledgeable staff that can answer any questions about the tours we offer and other travel
inquiries.

We offer pick-up points in different cities and try to have a point close to your home.

Our motorcoach is equipped with many amenities such as large viewing windows with shades,  
contoured seats with arm and foot rests, video monitors, high quality sound system, a flush toilet as
well as offering a wonderfully smooth ride.  

In addition to our superb destinations, we offer traveling activities on the days that are spent traveling
to each destination.  You may choose to read, sleep, enjoy the scenery, or take part in a variety of
games or videos.  Snacks and water are also available on all our trips.

Although most of our customers are from the southern two-thirds of Arkansas, they may not know
each other when beginning a tour, but by the time we come home almost everyone, regardless of
where they are from, will have made many new friends or, occasionally, found an unknown relative in
the group

We strive to assure that each and everyone of our trips run smoothly.  On most of our trips we have
two tour guides;--- a superb motorcoach driver and as we all do our jobs the tours run very smoothly.

Our prices are very competitive with other tour companies.  Please note what our prices include on
each trip and, we think, you will find that you are getting a great value four your trip.  In addition to the
transportation, attractions, accommodations, and food, the “intangibles” of group travel such as
convenience, education, safety, security and companionship are all a part of the package price.
About Us