TTNG Lifetime Achievement Award ‘great honour’, says Bruce Lyons

Bruce Lyons, director of Crusader Travel in Twickenham, said his lifetime achievement award from The Travel Network Group is “a great honour”.

 

The 90-year-old pioneering agent has worked since the age of 15 – and still works six days a week in his agency.

 

Delegates at the consortium’s conference in Bucharest earlier this week gave him a standing ovation at the Palace of Parliament as he received his award from chief executive Gary Lewis; Ionela Dinu-Mihai, customer experience and people development director; and Stephanie Slark, membership services director.

 

His daughter Shona, who works with him and also attended the conference, said: “I cried watching him go the stage, escorted carefully by Ionela and greeted warmly by Gary and the team.

 

“I felt so pleased to see him recognised for all the incredible hard work he has done all these years.”

 

Lewis said: “Bruce is the very definition of inspiring. His lifelong dedication to travel, his pioneering spirit and his deep connection to the community are extraordinary.

 

“At almost 91 years old, and after an incredible seven decades in the travel industry, Bruce continues to lead with passion, humility, and heart – a true role model for all of us in the industry. It’s our absolute honour to celebrate his incredible legacy with this Lifetime Achievement Award.”

 

Born in August 1934, Bruce met his wife-to-be Hedda in the early 1960s at the Israeli tourist office.

 

They married in 1965 and in 1966 set up their first travel agency together at 22 Church Street.

 

As they built their business, they pioneered charter flights to Hurghada, Sharm el Sheikh and Eilat, and Bruce ran a specialist business called Red Sea Holidays.

 

Edda “absolutely loved” to travel off the beaten track and created and led her own wildlife tours and safaris.

 

In 1995, they established Crusader Travel in Church Street, Twickenham, and were “deeply involved” with the local community.

 

They organised the Twickenham Festival from 1995 to 2019 and worked closely with the council and other local businesses to revitalise the Church Street area.