JTA and Belleair Holidays senior sales manager Diane Court is to retire this week after five decades representing a range of companies on the road in the Midlands and nationally.
Court will step down on Friday but will continue to act for the company as an ambassador.
After starting her career in the mid-1970s at Horizon Midlands, Court became regional sales manager for the Midlands for Thomson and is perhaps best known for her 19 years at Gold Medal between 1988 and 2007.
She has also worked for companies including Cellet Travel Services, representing a number of US destinations, Virgin Holidays, Freedom Travel Group and Qatar Airways.
She said: “I turned 70 in October and will be taking a long holiday early next year to spend at least six weeks in Australia with my husband and daughter.
“I will be very sad to leave JTA & Belleair Holidays and even sadder to leave the travel industry which has been such an enjoyable and fun part of my life for so long.”
Dave Green, business development director at JTA Travel Group, said: “Di is a wonderful colleague and trusted friend and has not only proven herself as a valuable team player many times over in our wonderful industry but has been a true inspiration to many including myself.
“Her energy and enthusiasm today surpass countless others who might be at a point much earlier in their career.”
JTA chief executive Wayne Darrock added: “Although retiring, Di will become an official ambassador for our business and join us on events and activations throughout the coming months and hopefully years to come.
“She possesses a unique charm and her knowledge and ability to change with the times during the past 50 years has been remarkable.”