Prize money of £1,000 is up for grabs for one travel consultant who wins the Discovery Agent of the Year award.
Launched in association with World Travel Market and Travel Weekly and sponsored by British Midland, the scheme aims to find an agent who gives outstanding customer service, but is also mindful of targets.
Travel Weekly managing director Trevor Harding said: “We want to pay tribute to those unsung heroes who assist the public every day. They work hard and are expected to learn and retain a huge amount of product knowledge.”
WTMexhibition director Fiona Jeffery said: “We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, who want to make a career out of travel and tourism and who can demonstrate a natural flair that identifies them as exceptional.”
The winner and a partner will be invited to events including the Travel Weekly Globe Awards, Agent Achievement dinner and WTM’s 21st birthday celebrations.
Nominations can be made for the Discovery agent of the year by a shop or area manager or a work colleague can put an agent’s name forward forconsideration. Agents can nominate themselves but the nomination must be authorised.
Judging will take place in London on October 21 or 22 and panellists will include British Midland chief operating officer James Hogan, WTM director Fiona Jeffery, Travel Weekly editor Jeremy Skidmore, ABTAchief executive Ian Reynolds and Travel Training Company managing director Barry Butler.
The winner will be presented with their award and prize at WTM on November 18.