ArrangeMY Escape took home the title at the seventh annual TTG Top 50 ceremony at The Vox in Birmingham – which returned to an in-person event after two years of virtual ceremonies.
Manager Jennifer Lynch told TTG: “This is unbelievable, we’re so happy. Words can’t describe. We are ecstatic, we are absolutely gobsmacked.
“Being us, being personable, thinking about customers and putting them first. We just wanted to be the best we could possibly be by investing in us – our customers and our community. We’ve been together since the beginning from day one
“You can’t describe the feeling, we are a family. There was a spark when I first interviewed [the team]. We started off with one three-legged table and now look at us.
“We’ve talked about shop number two and three, it’s time to expand now and expand the team. It’s my team’s time to grow now.”
The prestigious Contribution to Travel award was bestowed upon Phil Nuttall, chief executive of the Travel Village Group, in recognition of his championing of the travel sector at the height of the pandemic, his focus on mental health in the workplace and his business success.
While accepting his accolade, Nuttall said: “After 38 years in the business, it feels absolutely fantastic, particularly when you look around and consider all those other people in the room.
“The travel industry is one big family, and we’re a family business – 63 years, four generations. It means so much to the family and hopefully they will be proud of me. It feels amazing to be back among friends. It’s been the worst two years in my 38 years in travel, so to be back here with everyone is just fantastic. Bring it on – travel’s back!
“I care passionately about my business and about the industry. The one message I would give tonight to the people who can make a difference – the owners, bosses and directors – is to look after the people who are working below you.
“I’d also say to the people who are working below those people: make sure you stay in this industry because we need you – my god, we need you – more than we’ve ever needed you.”
Nuttall’s RiverCruising.co.uk brand was also named River Cruise Agency of the Year, while his Travel Village store in Blackpool also earned a place in the Top 50 list.
More than 400 of the nation’s best agents and suppliers enjoyed a glamorous ceremony at the Vox Centre including entertainment by Will Young.
The Top 50 2022, in association with Visit Florida, also saw big wins for Designer Travel, which was named Top Luxury Agency and Top Homeworking Agency, while its Ramsbottom store was named the North West’s Top Agency.
Travel Counsellors’ corporate division was named Top Business Travel Agency, while its leisure division also won a place in the list.
Jim Eastwood, Travel Counsellors’ global sales director, said: “Business travel is the fastest growing part of our business and we’re going from strength to strength and I’m delighted for the team.
“Our ethos is, with us, it’s personal. As soon as they [business travellers] were ready to move again, we got them moving again and they’re going thick and fast to far-flung locations across the world.
“We are one community at Travel Counsellors, an amazingly engaged community. Getting TCs together virtually, and we had our corporate conference in the same place [The Vox] the other week and now we’re winning this award here. Fantastic.”
For a full list of TTG Top 50 2022 winners, visit: ttgmedia.com/top-50-assets/top-50-winners-2022
