Monday was a day of celebration for many travel sellers who won coveted gongs at this year’s Agent Achievement Awards.
But as news filtered in of the bomb attacks during the Boston Marathon, it was also a day when we were reminded how international events beyond our control can have a huge impact on our industry.
Everyone’s thoughts will be with the victims of the attacks. But as the two events panned out in tandem, I was struck how the winners I was welcoming onto the stage would be the very people who would play such an important role in providing accurate information and rebuilding faith for customers concerned about travel to the US.
The AAAs – the first since the event’s acquisition by Travel Weekly Group – was a fantastic opportunity to recognise the best of the UK trade.
It was a spectacular evening, and the reaction of our winners showed just why the event is such a perfect fit for Travel Weekly.
One winner, who took home a coveted business excellence award for best website, said he felt the honour was recognition for 26 years of hard work. It was a commendable sentiment.
In an industry with a lot of glitz and glamour, some might wonder if awards nights like these can maintain their appeal.
But try telling that to the jubilant winners who returned to their shops, call centres and offices this week to share their success with their colleagues – the frontline travel sellers who are at the heart of everything we do at Travel Weekly.