An agent who works for Travel Counsellors was said to epitomise the lengths the travel industry goes to for its customers when she was honoured for her dedication at this week’s Travel Weekly Globe Travel Awards in London.
Saffron Tennant twice drove to Calais to pick up clients stranded by the ash cloud crisis last spring. Her efforts were recognised on Monday when she became the second winner of the Penny Akam Award for Unsung Heroes.
“Not many people would have done what I did for my clients during the ash crisis. That’s the beauty of working for myself – it allows me to go beyond the call of duty in exceptional circumstances. I’m absolutely delighted to receive this award,” she said.
TWgroup editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley said Tennant’s actions were characteristic of agents’ devotion. “Saffron pulled out all the stops to help her customers affected by the ash crisis. Her actions are symbolic of agents’ commitment to their clients and the industry’s reputation as a whole,” she said.
Tennant was presented with the award by On the Beach commercial director Johnny Pollard, who received the Globe last year having successfully battled cancer on two occasions.
The other big individual winner to be honoured on the night was Owners Abroad founder Roger Allard, chairman of All Leisure Group and former First Choice holiday group chief, who won the Outstanding Achievement Award.
Previous recipients of the award have included Thomas Cook chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa, Hays Travel founder John Hays, Travel Counsellors founder David Speakman and former Kuoni boss Sue Biggs.
“It’s a nice accolade to receive having been in the industry for such a long time,” said Allard. “I’ve enjoyed my career – it’s been my hobby for 40 years – and I’ve made a bit of money out of it.”
Other big winners included Royal Caribbean International and sister line Celebrity Cruises, Thomas Cook, Sandals, Kuoni, easyJet and British Airways.
Click for the full list of winners, plus the official TV report from the night and photos.