If Only has honoured agents for going the ‘extra mile’ at a surprise awards event.
The trade-only luxury operator hosted 19 agents for a ‘Highland Gathering’ day of activities near Glasgow on Thursday night (June 22).
The agents flew in from across the UK to visit the If Only offices near Loch Lomond National Park and were surprised in the evening with an awards ceremony.
They were given presentations by If Only, Emirates, Silversea and One&Only.
The award categories included outstanding achievement awards, most improved agency and best performing homeworker, travel agency and agency group.
Tom Higgins, marketing manager, said: “We’ve had many agents visit our offices over the years, and we’ve been thinking about a way to recognise those who we feel go ‘the extra mile’ in supporting If Only so wanted to combine both.
“We’re also based in a beautiful part of the country so we decided to call our event If Only’s Highland Gathering – adding appropriate bits of ‘Scottish-ness’ – right down to pillow gifts of Irn Bru, Tunnock’s Teacakes and haggis flavoured crisps!
“We kept the actual ‘awards’ element as a surprise until just before dinner for two reasons – we didn’t want any invitees to feel obliged to attend in order to accept an award, and we wanted to have a nice surprise for all those who joined us.
“It was lovely way to honour our top agents, in typical If Only style – with high quality elements, attention to detail and little bit of humour along the way.”
The event comes just weeks after a major shake-up was announced at the operator. On June 6 the company revealed five directors and managers of Travel2/Gold Medal left would move to If Only as part of expansion plans.
The attending agents also enjoyed a tour the Glengoyne Whisky Distillery, a visit to the 5-star Cameron House Hotel and an overnight stay at the 5-star Mar Hall Hotel.