Andy Freeth, managing director B2B, dnata UK
In recent weeks I’ve spent a fair amount of time taking my tux to and from the local dry cleaners, thanks to the many award dos taking place.
I always look forward to travel industry invites landing on my desk. It’s great to see friends and colleagues being recognised for their achievements at each of the different ceremonies.
In the last few weeks alone, Iglu was named Travel Employer of the Year by employer review site WorkAdvisor and Travel Weekly’s very own Hall of Fame welcomed some new members.
Be loud and proud
Consortium conferences are always a great occasion for highlighting the accomplishments of travel agents from up and down the UK.
Recognition and saying thank you is important for the success of independent agents and it’s great to see newcomers, experienced agents and those focusing on a specialist sector all being recognised over the last year.
While I know that flying the flag for your agency or blowing your own trumpet doesn’t sit well for all, it is important that agents and travel professionals are proud of their success.
Whether they are travel industry, national or regional, awards are a great way to differentiate yourself from your peers.
Stand out from the crowd
A well-deserved accolade sets you apart from the rest and now more than ever customers are doing their homework before booking a holiday.
If they’re choosing to book through an agent then they are looking for more than just the cheapest price.
They are coming to you for your expert knowledge to ensure that they book an incredible trip based on what you know about the destination and what you also know about them and their holiday preferences.
Having a shiny award on your desk or a badge proudly displayed on your website tells potential customers that you are an agent offering the best service and advice around.
Spread the word
I love to see agents making the most of this in their area.
There are some great regional awards that recognise the hard work and amazing results that businesses are achieving.
Once you have won an award, contacting the local paper, mentioning it on your social media feeds or adding the news to a customer newsletter are all great ways to get the word out there so don’t be afraid to put yourselves forward.
The opportunities are huge so be sure to maximise on this.