An agent from Hull has been named Tui’s travel adviser of the year.
Georgina Waugh beat more than 2,000 other in-house agency staff to achieve the accolade.
The King Edward Street agency branch worker has been with Tui for 27 years.
She was awarded the regional, divisional and overall company travel adviser at a ceremony on board cruise ship Marella Voyager.
The recognition highlights Waugh’s unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding customer service and setting new benchmarks for excellence in the travel industry, according to the company.
Achievements such as surpassing annual targets for Google and Facebook reviews in just one month and growing the branch’s social media following by 500 in a single day are a testament to her passion and proactive approach.
Tui head of retail Stephen Bracegirdle said: “We are incredibly proud of Georgina and her outstanding achievements.
“Georgina exemplifies the very best of Tui’s values through her dedication, passion, and commitment to creating exceptional experiences for our customers.
“These awards recognise her ability to build personal relationships with customers, her innovative approach to travel planning, and her relentless drive to exceed expectations. She truly sets a gold standard for excellence in our industry.”
Waugh added: “It feels absolutely surreal to receive this honour. Being recognised at this level is like a dream come true.
“It’s not only a reflection of my dedication but also a testament to the incredible support from my team. This award makes me feel like a celebrity.”
She said her ability to build personal connections with customers makes the difference.
“I live and breathe Tui’s values, not just during my shifts but even on my days off and personal adventures. Sharing first-hand travel experiences allows me to offer a unique, personalised service that keeps customers coming back.”
Her advice to other travel agents: “Never stop learning and always strive to understand your customers’ unique needs. My advice is to embrace technology, stay updated on trends, and share your own travel experiences. Most importantly, support your team and foster a culture of mutual growth and encouragement.
“My other piece of advice is never give up on your dreams, I’ve been with Tui for over 25 years and had been shortlisted for this award a number of times, but I never gave up as it was my ultimate goal to win. I kept applying and here we are.”