Scroll down for the full list of winners!
Agents and agencies from across the UK and Ireland have been honoured at the 2023 Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards in London.
The event, held in partnership with headline sponsor Virgin Atlantic for the third year, took place at London’s Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel with more than 700 guests in attendance.
The coveted awards were presented by TV and radio favourite Mark Wright alongside Travel Weekly editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley, while entertainment was provided by ex-Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle and star of musical theatre Ricardo Afonso.
More: Althams and Fred Olsen chiefs honoured for outstanding contribution at AAAs
Gallery from the Agent Achievement Awards 2023
Coveted individual awards included Leisure Agent of the Year, won by The Travel Snob’s David Walker; Leisure Manager of the Year, won by Barrhead Travel’s Sean Buckley; Young Leisure Agent of the Year, won by Barrhead Travel’s Olivia Davies; and Agency Support Team Member of the Year, won by Julie Cloe from Dawson and Sanderson.
Multiple award winners included Hays Travel, which won the Large Agency category in the North East and London and the South East in addition to the national High Street Agency of the Year award.
Barrhead Travel was named best large agency in Scotland, in addition to Davies and Buckley’s awards.
Travel Counsellors was named Best Large Agency to Work For, large Sustainable Champion of the Year, and large Homeworking Company of the Year.
Cartwright Travel was named Small High Street Agency of the Year, having won the regional award for South West England and South Wales, while the national small homeworking and call centre/online agency awards were won by Travelosophers and Iglu.com respectively.
Outstanding Contribution honours went to Althams Travel managing director Sandra McAllister and Fred Olsen Travel managing director Steve Williams, while Perfect Getaways Isle of Man picked up the One to Watch Award.
The Mental Health Matters award was won by Adele Barnacle, from The Travel Village, while the small Sustainability Champion of the Year category was won by ArrangeMYEscape.
Winners’ reaction
Outstanding achievement award winner Steve Williams, managing director Fred Olsen Travel
This is all dedicated to the people in my business. I’m so lucky to have been able to attract some really nice people and take the business forward in the time I have been here. I don’t normally seek the limelight or the applause but it is so lovely to get that recognition
Leisure Manager of the Year, Sean Buckley of Barrhead Travel’s Northwich branch
I’m overwhelmed. I can’t believe I’ve been nominated and I’ve won. My team is amazing – it’s all down to my team. We’re a family. We all work together, we support each other, we have a laugh, we’re honest with each other and we want to do the best that we can
Leisure Agent of the Year, The Travel Snob’s David Walker
I’m completely overwhelmed as I really wasn’t expecting this. It feels really good to win. I never try to be anyone I’m not and I think my clients respect that. I love all my clients, who I treat like my friends – and because I see them as friends, I always want to make sure their holidays are as good as possible.
Over the years I’ve made a lot of friends in the industry through coming to awards like this who are always up for a party, so I’m going to go and celebrate this award with them now
Young Agent of the Year, Olivia Davies of Barrhead Travel
I am absolutely over the moon, I can’t believe it. I only joined Barrhead in September so I’ve not even been there a year. I used to be a nail technician and I’d never even been on holiday before I joined Barrhead so to win is an amazing achievement, I’m so happy
Agency Support Team Member of the Year winner Julie Cloe of Dawson & Sanderson:
It means a lot to win this and to be recognised for what I do. My main focus in my role is on apprentices and to be given the opportunity at work to focus on training and development at work is so rewarding
More: Althams and Fred Olsen chiefs honoured for outstanding contribution at AAAs
Agent Achievement Awards 2023 winners
Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award | Sandra McAllister, Althams Travel |
Outstanding Contribution to the Industry Award | Steve Williams, Fred Olsen Travel |
Leisure Agent of the Year | David Walker, Travel Snob |
Leisure Manager of the Year | Sean Buckley, Barrhead Travel |
Young Leisure Agent of the Year | Olivia Davies, Barrhead Travel |
Agency Support Team Member of the Year | Julie Cloe, Dawson & Sanderson |
Clia Cruise Master Award | Jonathan Howitt, The Cruise Room |
ATAS Ambassador Award | Paul Hardwick, Fred Olsen Travel |
Tipto Independent Agency of the Year Award | ArrangeMY Escape |
Mental Health Matters Award | Adele Barnacle, Travel Village Group |
Sustainability Champion of the Year – Large | Travel Counsellors |
Sustainability Champion of the Year – Small | ArrangeMY Escape |
National Agencies of the Year
High Street Agency of the Year – Large | Hays Travel |
High Street Agency of the Year – Small | Cartwright Travel |
Homeworking Agency of the Year – Large | Travel Counsellors |
Homeworking Agency of the Year – Small | Travelosophers |
Online/Call Centre Agency of the Year | Iglu.com |
Best Agency to Work For – Large | Travel Counsellors |
Best Agency to Work For – Small | Panache Cruises |
Cruise Agency of the Year – Large | Cruise 118/Six Star Cruises |
Cruise Agency of the Year – Small | Mundy Cruising |
Touring and Adventure Agency of the Year | Miles Morgan Travel |
One to Watch Award | Perfect Getaways Isle of Man |
Regional Agency of the Year Awards
Northern Ireland | Oasis Travel |
Republic of Ireland | Cassidy Travel |
Scotland – Small | Thorne Travel |
Scotland – Large | Barrhead Travel |
North West England and North Wales – Small | Delmar World Travel |
North West England and North Wales – Large | Althams Travel |
Yorkshire, North Midlands and North East England – Small | Seaside Travel |
Yorkshire, North Midlands and North East England – Large | Hays Travel |
Central England – Small | Knowle Travel |
Central England – Large | Midcounties Co-operative Travel |
East of England – Small | Deben Travel |
East of England – Large | Fred Olsen Travel |
South West England and South Wales – Small | Cartwright Travel |
South West England and South Wales – Large | Miles Morgan Travel |
London and South East England – Small | Baldwins Travel |
London and South East England – Large | Hays Travel |