Travel agents have won a collective award for outstanding contribution to tourism at last night’s VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2014.
The award recognises the outstanding and continued level of support from domestic travel trade in promoting the UK as a holiday destination, and to also celebrate the high quality of service and knowledge agents provide to customers booking UK breaks.
The accolade was one of 17 awards presented for promoting excellence in England’s tourism industry.
It follows VisitEngland launching the second ‘UK Holidays at Home are GREAT’ campaign featuring Wallace & Gromit, aimed at encouraging people to book a holiday at home through their travel agent.
Operators and agents from across the country signed up to support the campaign with British holiday packages and promotional activity.
VisitEngland has teamed up with Wallace & Gromit again this year to launch the third annual campaign with a clear call to action to book a holiday at home through travel agents – and with continued support from operators and agents.
The domestic tourism body’s chairman Lady Cobham said: “The support we’ve had from domestic travel trade through their enthusiasm for our Holidays at Home is GREAT campaign has been fantastic.
“This prestigious award acknowledges this contribution and I thank them on behalf of the sector for helping to ensure tourism in this country thrives.”
Accepting the award on behalf of all agents, Abta chairman Noel Josephides, said: “I’m delighted to accept this award on behalf of the many travel businesses who promote and sell holidays in the UK.
“Domestic tourism plays a very important part in the tourism mix, along with overseas and inbound tourism, and it is very encouraging that travel agents have been recognised for their role in embracing the opportunities that the recent GREAT campaign has provided.”
Tourism minister Helen Grant said: “The tourism industry is playing a key part in our economic growth strategy and VisitEngland’s Awards for Excellence celebrates all the very best visitor experiences on offer and the hugely talented people working within the sector.
“Congratulations to domestic travel agents who have received the collective outstanding contribution award and all the other winners who do a tremendous job in providing a warm welcome to visitors and delivering a first class product.”
Other awards announced at the ceremony in Cheltenham included the best bed and breakfast, small hotel, tourism experience, tourism pub of the year, taste of England, sustainable tourism, business tourism and access for all tourism award.