Travel industry pays tribute to 'great friend' and 'incredible woman' Diane Court

Tributes have been paid to former JTA and Belleair Holidays senior sales manager Diane Court following news of her death.

 

Court retired in December last year aged 70 after five decades in the industry and was a well known figure in the trade, representing a range of companies on the road in the Midlands and nationally, including Gold Medal and Virgin Holidays.

 

JTA Travel Group issued a special tribute in Court’s memory after her death from lung cancer, describing the loss of "not just a valued colleague, but a great friend" and saying she would be "greatly missed but never forgotten".

 

It called her a "constant source of encouragement and laughter", adding "we will always be grateful for the times we shared, both professionally and personally."

 

Director of business development Dave Green said: "Diane was much more than a respected professional within the travel industry, she was a warm, generous, and inspiring presence to everyone who had the privilege of working alongside her.

 

"Over the years, she touched countless lives with her kindness, humour and unwavering passion for the people and places that make travel such a special business to be part of.

 

"Those who knew Diane will remember her for her integrity, her energy, her glamour, her infectious smile, and her ability to bring light to even the busiest of days. She was a true friend to so many of us, someone who always had time to listen, to support, and to celebrate the successes of others.

 

"Her loss will be deeply felt across the industry, but her legacy of friendship, professionalism, and genuine care will live on through the many people and partnerships she helped shape."

 

He added: "You made our world and our industry a better place."

 

The company said its thoughts went out to Diane’s husband Andrew and daughter Lisa as well as her friends and family.

Tributes to Diane Court flood in 

Court’s death has led to an outpouring of sorrow and tributes from across the travel industry, with memories of her warm, loving and fun nature.

 

The 71-year-old has been described as the "mum" and "first lady" of the travel industry as well as a "legend" and "beautiful soul".

 

Nick Hughes, G Adventures director of growth for the UK & Ireland, said: "Di was loved by all, a true legend to many people and for me, someone I looked up to early in my career.

 

"She had the biggest of Brummie hearts and I am thankful that she became a friend in later years. She will be greatly missed by family, friends and industry colleagues."

 

Dominic Carrick, easyJet holidays trade distribution manager, described her as “always friendly, supportive and kind” and a “fabulous lady”.

 

Claire Dutton, Inspire Europe head of commercial, marketing and product, remembered meeting her as a Lunn Poly agent when Court worked for Horizon Holidays. She called her “an inspiration to so many of us” with an “infectious smile and boundless energy”.

 

Anthony Goord, Peter Goord Travel owner, said he was “shocked and saddened”, adding: “She has been my travel mum for over 30 years; I’ll miss her humour, love, laughter and trademark spiky hair.”

 

Cherie Richards, Hays Travel head of business development, said: “We worked together for so many years, enjoyed amazing trips together at Harvey World Travel; an absolute travel legend, the kindest of hearts and great to work with.”

 

Kathryn Beadle, who retired from Uniworld in 2017, described her as “a legend", adding: "She was respected and admired for her knowledge and professionalism but most importantly she’ll be remembered for being one of the the nicest and most stylish ladies in travel”.

 

Chris Oakes, Technomine Travel Solutions global sales director, said: “She was like the first lady of the travel industry, always funny, always glamorous. Like others, Di took me under her wing.”

 

Craig Davidson, Flexi Reps managing director, described Court as a “beautiful soul, a friend to everyone in travel and a proper legend”.

 

Kuoni head of trade partnerships Sarah Weetman said: "Di was an incredible woman and a true legend in our industry, dedicating so much of her life to travel. I’ll always remember her warm, welcoming smile at events and the unwavering support she gave me when I first started out over 20 years ago."

 

Court began her career in the mid-1970s at Horizon Midlands and became regional sales manager for the Midlands for Thomson, but is probably best known for her 19 years at Gold Medal between 1988 and 2007.

 

Other companies she worked for include Cellet Travel Services, representing a number of US destinations, Virgin Holidays, Freedom Travel Group and Qatar Airways.

 

She was appointed head of business development at JTA in 2014 and retired at the end last year after turning 70 but became an “official ambassador” for the brand.

 

At the time she said she planned a long holiday earlier this year in Australia with her husband and daughter. She described the travel industry as being “an enjoyable and fun part of my life for so long.”