Hays Travel North West gave the winners of its annual agent awards a special bonus price – a thank you trip abroad.
The prize-winning agents won a three-day stay at a five-star hotel in Turkey courtesy of Jet2holidays after scooping awards at the ceremony at Chester Racecourse.
Don Bircham, managing director of the 46-strong chain of shops in Merseyside, Great Manchester, Cheshire and north Wales, said: “It has been a fantastic year and the awards were our way of saying thank you to our wonderful staff who have done such a great job over the years. We sent our winners away on a break of their own as a reward.”
Leanne Shillito, who runs two shops in Northwich, received the Directors’ Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Business.
She said: “I’ve been in the travel industry for 12 years – my auntie was a resort rep and she used to tell me all about the life when she came home and that inspired me so it was always my ambition since I was 12.”
Staff at the chain’s St Helens store were also in Turkey after picking up five awards, including Travel Shop of the Year for Manchester and Cheshire, and Manager of the Year, won by Gemma Bate, who moved to run the company’s Bolton shop midway through the year.
Bate has worked in travel for more than 20 years, since leaving school. She said: “I just love it – if it’s in your blood then that’s what you want to do.
“People save up for a holiday and spend a lot and for you to help them enjoy that holiday is very fulfilling.”
The Oswestry branch won Shop of the Year for Merseyside and North Wales for the second time in four years. Manager Gary Smout said: “People seem to have regained their confidence now and are happy to travel again.”