Following a 50% increase in entries this year, BWIT will next year welcome entries from employers in the expedition cruise, inbound and car rental sectors, with 30 entrants set to be honoured in total – up from 25.

“There has never been more reason to collaborate when it comes to showcasing our industry to potential employees,” said BWIT upon launching the 2024 scheme on Friday (1 December), which coincides with a rebrand for the initiative and a new website. It was founded by Gail Kenny of Gail Kenny Executive Recruitment.

Employers that apply between 4 December and 31 December will receive an early-bird rate fixed at last year’s entry prices – £300 for small companies (up to 49 employees), £450 for mid-sized companies (50-249 employees) and £600 for large companies (250+ employees).

There is also a new category for micro companies (10-19 employees), which is priced at £220.

The search is based on an employee engagement survey, which asks travel professionals to highlight their top priorities and then rate their employers based on those prerogatives. The judging will also take into account an employer’s net promoter score.

All entrants, regardless of whether they make the final 30, will receive a comprehensive employee survey and insights, formulated by BWIT talent tech partner, Korero. The top 30 employers will be recognised at an awards ceremony in London next June.

UKInbound chief executive Joss Croft said: “These awards are a credit to our industry and the businesses and individuals that uphold it, and we look forward to hearing who the winners are, and the inspiring stories that surround them, in 2024.”

Abby Penston, chief executive at Focus Travel Partnership, added BWIT helped promote an industry "that creates opportunities in workplaces that are committed to nurturing talent and growth.”

BWIT also has support from a group of brand ambassadors – Aito, the Business Travel Association, Abtot, Clia and the ITT’s Future Your Foundation. Focus, Acriss, UKinbound and the Expedition Cruise Network will also be promoting BWIT to their members.

This year’s winners included Panache Cruises, which triumphed in the small company category, while easyJet holidays and Jet2holidays were named top mid-size and large company respectively.