Tollman, who was born in the Western Cape in 1930, married wife Beatrice Lurie in 1954 and together they purchased their first business, the Nugget Hotel in Johannesburg, with their wedding money. 

The duo then went on to open the first-ever five-star and all-suite hotel in South Africa, the Tollman Towers, which inspired the creation of TTC.

Due to disagreements with South Africa’s apartheid policies in the 60s and 70s, Tollman decided to shift his focus beyond the country’s borders and moved to London with his wife and children in 1976.

The Tollman’s then acquired the Montcalm Hotel in Marble Arch, which soon became a meeting place for famous guests such as Rod Stewart, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.

In 1984 the pair launched the Red-Carnation Hotel Collection, a portfolio of 20 luxury properties worldwide which began with London’s Chesterfield Mayfair. 

In tribute to Tollman, Sir Geoffrey Kent, founder and chief of Abercrombie & Kent, said one of the "most amazing figures in travel and tourism has left us".   

"I have known him and his lovely wife Bea since I met them for the first time in 1972 in the Tollman Towers," he added.

"Our travel paths have been closely linked over the years. Stan and his lovely family were always on the cutting edge in the travel industry and continually creating new products run with consummate style."

Niall Gibbons, chief executive of Tourism Ireland, said the country is "eternally grateful" for the "lasting impact and legacy" of Tollman.
  
"His vision, positivity and values left a positive influence on us all," he added.

"The investment of Red Carnation Hotels into Ashford Castle has meant Ireland continues to punch above its weight on the world stage.

"The consequential impact on rural Ireland cannot be overstated. Our thoughts are with his wife Bea and entire family at this time."

Tollman was also a champion for sustainable tourism and launched The Travel Corporation Conservation Foundation (TTC-CF) – a non-profit focused on activation of community and conservation projects and partnerships.

Renamed The TreadRight Foundation in 2012, it today supports more than 55 projects worldwide and has developed a five-year sustainability strategy aligned to the UN SDGs (United Nations Sustainable Development Goals).