The inaugural search saw Black Opal Travel Group triumph in the small company category, The Travel Village Group the medium company category and Kuoni the large company category.

Companies can apply from Monday (12 December) at an early-bird rate fixed at last year’s price through to the end of January – £200 for small companies (up to 50 employees), £350 for medium-sized companies (51-249 employees) and £500 for large companies (250+ employees).

For 2023, business travel companies and TMCs were also be invited to enter, as will cruise businesses following interest from "a number of major cruise brands".

The search is based on a wide-ranging employee engagement survey, asking travel sector professionals to rank what is important to them. Entrants’ employees will feedback on these points, as well as answer a number of questions – including an employee net promoter score.

Best Workplaces in Travel said besides being a prestigious accolade, the process allowed businesses to gain "invaluable insights" into how to attract, engage and retain staff in the current "challenging" talent landscape.

"To know what your own people are thinking is key, but in addition, we provide you with a sector benchmark – the perfect tool for retention and recruitment," said BWIT.

Entrants will receive a comprehensive staff survey, devised by workplace culture expert Purple Cubed. This tear, the top 30 employers will receive a free place at an awards reception in London.

Brian Young, managing director of G Adventures, which made last year’s final shortlist of 20, said: “These insights from our team are so valuable for us as a business. We constantly strive to ensure we are engaging with the team on what matters most to them, and these insights add another layer. We will be entering again and will be working hard to move up the charts.”

Clive Wratten, chief executive of the Business Travel Association, added: “The BTA is delighted to support the introduction of travel management companies into the Best Workplaces in Travel initiative.

"We want to show more people why the business travel sector is a great place to build a career. To have employee feedback on what they look for from a great employer is important and can only help widen the appeal to join the travel management industry."