The Suffolk agency, which has been named East of England’s Top Agency for three years running, was revealed as the ultimate winner of TTG’s Top 50 Travel Agencies 2020 at an online Winners’ Party this evening (June 18).

Judges praised the Deben team for their clever use of technology, their personalised approach to customer service, their appetite to try new things, and their commitment to the environment – planting a tree for every single passenger they booked in 2019.

Owner of the agency Lee Hunt said: "We are absolutely over the moon... it’s unbelievable, especially after such a tough time. The rest of the team are going to be so happy too.

Asked what he thought it was that made Deben stand out, Hunt said the agency worked closely with the local community and charities, and was involved in a carbon offsetting initiative. 

"We really do put so much into everything we do. We treat every holiday as if it’s our own."

Hunt added he would "celebrate in style" with some drinks and karaoke. 

TTG group editor Pippa Jacks said: “Lee and his team at Deben Travel are a shining example of a successful high street travel agency – with expert staff, a laser-focus on customer service, an innovative approach to marketing, and a commitment to acting as a responsible business.

“We hope winning this prestigious title will see Deben Travel soar to even greater heights, as the travel industry starts to get back on its feet over the coming months.”

During the ceremony, the winners of the Customer Service Champion and Community Hero categories were also revealed.

Nicola Palmer, managing director of Perfect Getaways, was named Community Hero in recognition of how she has made charity work an integral part of her relatively new business, raising a significant amount of money for causes ranging from No More Knives and Wirral Society for the Blind & Partially Sighted to Clatterbridge Cancer Charity and water charity Just a Drop. Her endeavours included her undertaking a sky-dive – despite having a fear of flying!

Linda Hill Miller, owner of LAH Travel in West Kilbride, was named Customer Service Champion 2020. She was faced with a particularly challenging situation last year when a longstanding client with a terminal illness required emergency repatriation from the Canary Islands, which saw Miller step in to arrange a private Learjet, using some of her own savings to cover the costs up front.

Click here to see the complete TTG Top 50 list for 2020.