Atas calls for entries for agent recognition award scheme

The Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers (Atas) is calling on travel agents to enter its 2025 awards scheme.

 

The Atas Recognition Awards scheme honours those travel agents who have showcased touring and adventure holidays in the most innovative or successful ways.

 

The winners will be crowned during a ceremony at the Atas Annual Conference, which will take place at the ICC in south Wales (September 16-17).

 

Claire Brighton (pictured), Atas director, said: “There was such a buzz among delegates at last year’s conference as we presented the awards to the winners.

 

“The agents who won the honours last year in Leeds were delighted to celebrate their dedication to our sector.

 

“We’re now asking agents to take part again this year, by nominating themselves or a colleague who has distinguished themselves over the past year – and we’d like to see as many agents as possible join us in Newport as we recognise the winners’ fantastic achievements at our conference.

 

“Some of the categories have evolved for 2025, as we try to reflect the sheer range of creative ways that agents promote touring and adventure holidays, so we’re looking forward to hearing about them when the entries come through.

 

“We have also brought the awards ceremony forward, so the honours will be presented on Day One, after the content sessions to ensure that we can truly shine a light on the winners and their impressive successes.”

 

The awards for 2025 are:

 

• Touring & Adventure One to Watch

This category is open to any individual agent or agency which has made strides to start selling the touring and adventure product in the last 12 months. Entries should highlight their route to promoting and selling touring and adventure holidays, the successes they have seen as well as plans for future growth. This award can be self-nominated or nominated by someone else from the wider travel industry.

 

• Expedition Cruise One to Watch

This category is open to any individual agent or agency which has made strides to start selling the expedition cruise product in the last 12 months. Entries should highlight their route to promoting and selling expedition cruises, the successes they have seen as well as plans for future growth. This award can be self-nominated or nominated by someone else from the wider travel industry.

 

• Creativity Counts Award

This category replaces the Social Media Champion award as the judges wanted to recognise the wider range of creative activity in this sector.

It is open to any individual agent or agency which has promoted touring and adventure holidays creatively using a variety of content shown on social media, websites and email. Entrants should also consider any consumer both in-person and virtual events over the last 12 months. Entries should briefly describe your content strategy and include details on audience sizes and engagement levels as well as detailing the success seen as a result of the strategy. This award can be self-nominated or nominated by someone else from the wider travel industry.

 

• Champion of Change

This category replaces the Sustainability Champion award as the judges wanted to recognise how agents are embracing all the elements of a strong ESG strategy (Environmental, Social and Governance).

It is open to any individual agent or agency who have integrated ESG factors into their company’s strategy, moving beyond short-term financial gains to prioritise the well-being of the planet and its people. Entries should highlight a passion for responsible travel, factoring in environmental elements alongside local communities and combating overtourism. Agents entering this category must be engaging with the touring and adventure sector. This award can be self-nominated or nominated by someone else from the wider travel industry.

 

• Regional categories are nominated and voted for by suppliers:

In a change for 2025, suppliers will consider the following factors when nominating:

Overall growth rather than simply the largest volume driving agency.

Commitment to promoting the sector to the agent’s/agencies’ customers.

Commitment to attending Atas and Atas tour operator events.

Completed training modules from Atas, tour operators or Online Travel Training.

 

Agency of the Year:

Southeast England Agency of the Year

Southwest England Agency of the Year

Northeast England Agency of the Year

Northwest England Agency of the Year

Central England Agency of the Year

Scotland & Northern Ireland Agency of the Year

Wales Agency of the Year

High Street Agency of the Year

Homeworking Agency of the Year

Online/Call Centre Touring & Adventure Agency of the Year

 

There is also an overall Touring & Adventure Agency of the year that is selected from all the regional categories.

 

To enter or nominate, please contact Claire Brighton on claire.brighton@touringandadventure.com. The closing date is June 10.