From Historic Roots to Modern Adventures: The Villa Carlotta Travel Journey
The story of Villa Carlotta Travel begins in the heart of Busselton, with a historic property that has shaped its identity. Originally built in 1897 by mining engineer Frank Backhouse as a family residence named Ithaca, the building later became known as Villa Carlotta after being purchased by the Catholic Church in 1903. This name is believed to reference the Villa Carlotta Hotel on Italy's Lake Como, adding a touch of European charm to its origins.
A Family Legacy in Tourism
In 1979, Margaret Buswell's parents, Jim and Jane Cummins, acquired the property and transformed it into a guesthouse. "Mum and Dad ran it as a guesthouse before they decided to also organise small tours for visitors," Margaret recalls. "They had a little Coaster bus that they used, and I remember their first tour had just one gentleman onboard. Dad did all the driving, and Mum looked after the cooking at the Villa Carlotta."
Margaret, along with her four siblings, worked in the business during her school and university years, where she earned a commerce degree. After a stint in Leeds, UK, she returned to Western Australia and married Troy Buswell, whom she had met as a teenager. The couple had two sons and eventually took over the business in 1995 when her parents retired.
Expansion and Evolution
Under Margaret and Troy's leadership, Villa Carlotta Travel expanded significantly. Starting with five-day tours, they soon introduced seven-day itineraries and added a 46-seater coach. "We realised there was a market to take the tours all around the State," Margaret explains. This led to acquiring additional coaches and expanding into northern WA and interstate destinations.
By 1998, the company ventured overseas with trips to Norfolk Island and Mauritius. Troy Buswell's move into politics in 2004, serving as a Liberal member of the WA Legislative Assembly until 2014, prompted the hiring of a general manager to oversee operations. The Buswells sold the guesthouse in 2007 to focus solely on tours, rebranding as Villa Carlotta Travel. The original property, now heritage-listed, reverted to its name Ithaca.
New Partnerships and Continued Growth
Following the end of Margaret and Troy's marriage in 2010, Margaret retained ownership of the business. In 2015, Matt Walker joined as a partner, bringing fresh energy to the company. Today, Margaret is remarried and enjoys roles in presentation work and occasional tour escorting. "It energises me," she says. "And I love meeting our Villa tourers."
Villa Carlotta Travel now operates about 120 tours annually, with 50 to 60 per cent in WA and the rest interstate and overseas. The company employs 11 staff, including a graphic designer and logistics manager. "Customer feedback is very important," Margaret notes, emphasising their philosophy of delivering value and treating customers like family.
Key advice from Margaret: "The two critical elements are fitness and finances. I always say to people — fitness first, as you might have the money but may not be able to do the tours later on, so go while you can."
