The kind-hearted gesture by Joanne Payne, Janaway Travel means that Jane Redmond, director at Janaway Travel is heading to Fiji for 10 nights to experience four different hotels – and flights for two are covered too.

Joanne said: “I did it because Jane really deserves it – I want her to take her husband and have an amazing time. We’ve been colleagues and friends for 28 years and watched each other’s children grow up.”  

Jane added: “Joanne wasn’t originally coming to the event but a last-minute cancellation opened up a place for her. We joked on our way there that the prize would be the usual – three hotel nights somewhere far flung that just isn’t practical – never in 35 years in travel have I seen such a fantastic prize.”

“When Joanne announced she wanted to give it to me, I just thought she’s amazing. Her voice wobbled a bit and I thought you’re going to make me cry, so I got up to give her a cuddle.”

“In an ideal the world the two of us would go together but we’re a team of three [at Janaway] and we can’t have both of us out the office for nearly two weeks. I’m going to take my husband – he’s a painter and decorator so perhaps he can paint Joanne’s house for her!”

Fourteen agents from all over the UK were hosted at the South Pacific event, which took place in the Soho Hotel in London. Agents watched presentations given by Tourism Fiji, the Tahiti Tourist Board and Paul Gauguin Cruises in the hotel’s screening room, with champagne and popcorn, before a sitting down to a three-course meal in a private dining room. 

Gary Bates, national trade partnership manager for ITC, said: “We were delighted to give away our biggest prize yet – 10 nights for two to Fiji, including flights and stays at our bestselling hotels including Hilton Fiji Resort and Likuliku Lagoon Resort. Jo was picked as the winner at random but as a gesture of goodwill, offered the prize to her colleague, Jane. What an amazing thing to do for your teammate! I felt quite emotional, it was an unreal moment!”

He added: “Greig Wells, ITC’s destination expert, has incredible knowledge on the region and we’ve already seen a big increase on South Pacific bookings. We want the trade to see us as the go-to operator for the South Pacific because we’ve got that expertise and we know the hotels.”