Travel companies from across the sector were recognised at last night’s Silver Travel Awards.
The awards, now in their second year, are voted for by members of advice and review website, Silver Travel Advisor, who are all aged over 50.
Holland America Line and Seabourn managing director, Lynn Narraway, and Graham Simpson, owner and managing director of Simpson Travel, were joint winners of the Exceptional Achievement Award.
Narraway urged agents to see the “potential” in the mature market.
“If agents invest in this age group the potential for them is huge,” she said. “This age group has children and grand-children so it’s a way they can sell to all the family.”
Mathew Simpson, Simpson’s son and product director at the company, collected the award on behalf of his father who couldn’t be at the awards.
“The over-50s is a great market because they have the time, money and appreciate the finer things in life,” he said.
“Even in difficult times, while young people and families are avoiding Turkey, our older customers are happy to travel there because of their adventurous spirit.”
The event, for which Travel Weekly is media partner, was held at London’s Transport Museum in Covent Garden and presented by actress Amanda Redman.
Other winners in the 16 other categories included Kirker Holidays, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Shearings Holidays and Emerald Waterways.