The new category will recognise the agencies that have done most to promote the sector in the last 12 months, and done most to improve their product knowledge and experience within touring.
’Top Touring and Adventure Agency’ is aimed at both high street branches and call centre- or homeworker-based businesses, in the UK and Ireland.
As with the six other nationwide categories, a shortlist will be decided by a wide panel of relevant suppliers, who will rate all hopeful contenders based on their business growth and commitment to and innovation in promoting the sector.
The five branches or agencies that are top-rated will then face an interview by video conference call, in which they’ll be quizzed on marketing initiatives, training and sales.
The new category is sponsored by Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold. Director of sales Paul Melinis said: “Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold are delighted to be sponsoring the first ever Top 50 touring and adventure category.
"As the leader in premium and luxury touring, we look forward to finding the agencies across the UK & Ireland who have shown commitment and innovation in promoting the touring sector.
"Over the last year, we have seen more agents than ever embracing the sector to meet the demand for guests today and we look forward to recognising the very best."
TTG group editor Pippa Jacks added: “With adventure and touring one of the fastest-growing and most exciting sectors for agents to tap into, we’re thrilled to add it to the roster of categories for 2018. We encourage any agency which has expanded its sales and product knowledge in this sector in the last year to put themselves forward and have their expertise recognised."
Any agency that has already registered for another category can simply log back into the system and tick the “Adventure and Touring” box to be considered for this new category. The deadline to register is November 10.
