Aito hosts 25^th Kick-Start conference as it enters 50^th year

Aito has hosted its 25^th Kick-Start conference as it enters its 50^th anniversary year.

More than 100 members, including 45 independent travel agents, 57 specialist operators and five affiliate partners, met at the Leonardo Hotel in Hinckley Island for the two-day event on January 10-11.

The All Stars & Excellence Awards recognised agents for “outstanding sales performance” and operators for “proactive engagement with the association’s core values”.

Awards included All Star Agents for different regions of the country, Bronze, Silver and Gold Excellence Awards, Tour Operator of the Year and Travel Agency of the Year, with winners including Designer Travel, Luxury Dream Holidays and Distinctive World Travel.

The ceremony was followed by a ’Sensational 70s’ themed gala dinner as a nod to the decade when Aito was founded as it celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year.

Aito executive director Martyn Sumners said: “Starting our 50th year with such a high level of engagement from both agents and operators is a testament to the enduring power of the Aito family.

“This conference wasn’t just about looking back at our history but about building on the work we’ve done to help carry our specialist partnerships through the next 50 years.”