Claire Moore, managing director of Shrewsbury agency Peakes Travel, won the title of Agent of the Year at the Atas Awards gala dinner in Manchester (September 19).
“I could not have been more shocked to hear my name announced,” she said.
“It’s lovely to bring the award back for the team, it’s a team effort.”
The agency has embraced the touring and adventure sector with initiatives such as a showcase event in March with 19 operators, and dedicated window displays for Atas members.
“The Atas conference was very useful and a great opportunity to network,” she added.
“I have lots of ideas as I am planning our marketing for 2020. It was brilliant.”
Other awards presented on the night went to Ponders Travel, of Over near Cambridge, which scooped the title of the Best Newcomer Agency, while Affinion Travel won the honour for the Best Call Centre Agency.
Trailfinders was named the Best High Street Agency; Travel Counsellors took the title of Best Homeworking Agency; and Travel Club Elite took the honour of Best Online Agency.
There were also ‘best agency’ regional honours, for Miles Morgan Travel (Southwest England and south Wales); Baldwins Travel (London and southeast England); Regent Travel (Central England and East Anglia); Hays Travel (Northeast England and Yorkshire); Altham’s Travel (Northwest England/Wales); and Barrhead (Scotland/Northern Ireland).
Classic FM presenter Aled Jones reprised his role as the host of the awards, alongside Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly Group.
He also held an impromptu auction in aid of Reuben’s Retreat, whose founder Nicola Graham had appeared on stage to talk about the charity for bereaved families and children with life-limiting conditions.
Aled offered tickets for a show during his current tour with fellow singer Russell Watson, along with the chance to meet the stars backstage.
There was also another prize of a visit to meet Aled at Classic FM as part of the fundraising efforts for Reuben’s Retreat during the evening.
Pictured from left: Lucy Huxley, Travel Weekly Group; Classic FM’s Aled Jones; Claire Moore; Rachel Lewis, South Africa Tourism; and Atas chairman Paul Melinis, APT. Photograph by Steve Dunlop.