Holidaysplease independent travel expert Sean McHale was randomly selected as the lucky winner of a £1,000 cash prize in Avis’ second Grand Competition in partnership with TTG Media. 

“I’m surprised!” said McHale. “Usually, I don’t enter any competitions, thinking ‘I’m never going to win’. This is one of the few times I’ve entered.”

The Avis Grand Competition was open to all agents in the UK and Ireland, who were asked to answer four questions about selling car hire to be in with a chance of winning the £1,000 prize. They also named their favourite road trip song, with McHale choosing Neil Diamond’s 1969 classic Sweet Caroline. 

McHale plans on treating himself and his wife Sarah to a dream holiday in Saint Lucia or the Bahamas in June, using the £1,000 prize money to fund their flights. He explains: “We’ve been to Saint Lucia before, but we couldn’t stay at the Sandals hotel we wanted. I’ve got a few free nights to use and those will come in handy.” 

Explaining why the Bahamas is his second destination option, McHale said: “It would be good to get out there and market it in the bi-monthly newsletter I send out to my clients.”  

Avis’s travel and partnerships manager Sophie Nelson thanked agents who answered the survey questions and took part in the competition, and said the car hire specialist will use their feedback to “change our offering to the trade”. 

She continued: “At Avis we are always looking to enhance the way we support our trade partners. Agents are important partners for our business and we want to be the car rental provider that agents can trust and book with.”