More: Globe Travel Awards 2024: Winners revealed
Globe Travel Awards 2024: Live winners and reaction
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Hays Travel owner Dame Irene Hays has been presented with the 2024 Travel Weekly Globe Travel Award for Outstanding Achievement, mirroring her late husband John, who won the award in 2009.
Hays received the award in recognition of her successful career in business and public service, including a commitment to the development of young people which underpins the Hays Travel ethos.
In a short emotional acceptance speech after she received the award, she dedicated the award to the whole travel industry. “This is for all of you,” she said.
Speaking afterwards, she said: “I am totally overwhelmed; I’m lost for words but I’m astonished, surprised and delighted.”
She said: “My passion has always been young people so for me to receive this after John makes it even more special.”
Other special awards presented on the night included the Unsung Hero, Sustainable Future and Employer of the Year Awards, while a new Travel for All category was introduced for the first time.
The Unsung Hero Award was won by Matt Nixon, from 52 Degrees North Travel, whose experiences during the pandemic led him to become a mental health and wellbeing champion, including writing a book and taking part in gruelling physical challenges for the charity Mind.
The 2024 Sustainable Future Award was won by The Travel Corporation, while Ocean Holidays scooped the inaugural Travel for All Award and Kuoni was named Employer of the Year.
Speaking about winning the The Unsung Hero Award, Nixon said: “I can’t believe it. I don’t feel worthy – it’s just bonkers. This year I want to help people find their next experience. That’s what my wife and I really feel passionate about – helping people come back from a holiday and feeling they’ve had an amazing experience that they may not have had from organising things themselves.”
Kelly Jackson, the Travel Corporation managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa said: “This award is a testament to everything we’ve worked towards. We want to drive change and be a sustainability leader in the market.
“Every one of our more than 40 brands is really invested in reaching Net Zero by 2050.”
Speaking about winning the first Travel for All award, Ocean Holidays co-CEO Harry Hastings, said: “It feels fantastic to be recognised in this way and I’m so proud of the team.
“We’ve worked hard to embed a culture at Ocean Holidays and this is proof that the hard work is worth it.
“What makes it even sweeter is the fact it was our 20th anniversary last year, which saw us undergo a brand refresh.
“I can’t wait to go back to the office with this award and use it to remind our staff that this is why we put the hard work in.
“Of course good sales are important but the recognition that our work in striving to make holidays accessible for all is what really matters.
“It feels great to know we’re one of the UK’s fastest-growing operators while doing the right thing. We’re absolutely delighted.”
Meanwhile, Kuoni managing director Mark Duguid said of its Employer of the Year win: “I’m absolutely delighted. It’s a little surprising to be honest. We were confident but there were some really strong contenders in this category which makes the win even more satisfying.
“I’m already thinking about how I’m going to communicate this win to our team, because that’s what this award is all about. I can’t wait to see their reaction.
“We recently conducted an engagement survey among our 300 staff which revealed 97% of employees are proud to work for Kuoni, which was incredible.
“I don’t think there’s one initiative in particular we’ve introduced that has led to this award, it’s just down to diligently continuing to do the right thing for our people and making sure they’re looked after.”
More: Globe Travel Awards 2024: Winners revealed
Globe Travel Awards 2024: Live winners and reaction
Globe Travel Awards 2024: Gallery