Mayall joined Designer Travel in 2008 and was close to managing director Amanda Matthews. "Our beautiful Angela was taken taken too young and so quickly," said Matthews, posting to Facebook.
Matthews revealed the pair met in hospital during pregnancy more than 20 years ago and described their bond as an instant connection – "one you may never get in your lifetime".
She encouraged Mayall, who was based in Saddleworth, to join the travel industry, and said she was "the best, multi award-winning professional". "[She] cared so much for the people who trusted her with their travel plans," said Matthews.
Matthews continued: "We’ve travelled the world, stayed in the most amazing places. To be honest, it didn’t matter where we were, we just loved our adventures together.
"Angela was the perfect mum, a perfect wife, a perfect daughter, a perfect sister and the most perfect friend I could have ever wished for.
"Thank you Angela for being you, for the fun times, and for being there when I needed you. My heart is broken, and I will miss you every day."
In March, Mayall was named Luxury Travel Designer of the Year at the TTG Luxury Travel Awards 2024.
Speaking to TTG’s Emma Dooney following her triumph, Mayall described her triumph as "the icing on the cake" for her business after more than 15 years of "incredibly hard work".
Last year, she celebrated a record-breaking year, growing her business by more than a quarter, underpinned by an enviable 98% repeat rate.
She also wrote for TTG’s regular homeworking column, in which she reflected on how tough she found it to break out of her comfort zone and to take bold steps to build her business while ensuring she maintained a better work-life balance.
Mayall is understood to have passed away after a short battle with cancer on Saturday (8 June).
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