Judges said: “This was a deeply impressive entry that is clear testament to what has become a well-established and highly customer-focused business. The team at Swords Travel clearly place high value on understanding their customers, resulting in consistent delivery of exceptional service levels, backed up by very high retention rates. Of particular note was the success of a mixed approach to reaching customers, including the significant investment in a High Street shop in affluent Wimbledon Village which feels genuinely aspirational, teamed with the success of the network of associates. It was also nice to see how they offer flexibility for the team to work within either scenario. Swords Travel’s ambition is very strong, but it’s one that is supported by palpable energy to grow in the future in the right way across existing channels, and not at the expense of losing its identity; this is to be applauded. A smart, all-round luxury travel agency that leads by example.”

Judges said: “Oasis Portfolio of Luxury Travel has once again proven to be a top player on the luxury scene, demonstrating superb levels of customer service across their four locations in Northern Ireland. The attention to detail in wowing their customers – from client appreciation events to exceptionally intricate itineraries – is deeply impressive. Their fam trip system, which sees every agent record their experiences to be stored in ‘the vault collection’, is a savvy way of sharing intel with the rest of the team too. The team show deep emotional intelligence when dealing with sensitive issues, always ensuring clients’ abilities and preferences are acknowledged. The approach to sustainable travel is to be commended too – never shaming clients for requesting certain activities, but rather offering alternatives that will give them a similar but more ethical experience. Their business performance is another highlight – the Portfolio team has been extremely busy and will likely be expanding to meet demand. An outstanding entry overall.”

Judges said: “It’s clear the inaugural winner of the UK & Ireland’s No.1 Luxury Travel Agency is focused on people, passion, and creating moments that last long after the journey ends. From last-minute restaurant reservations to sourcing private sunset access to Victoria Falls for a client – complete with a sommelier and professional photographer – the Winged Boots team ensures no detail is too small, and no request too ambitious. Founded in 2008 in Romford, Essex, this exceptional company has grown to a team of 27 specialists united by one purpose: to craft bespoke experiences that are as individual as the clients they serve. With record-breaking bookings, a 4.9 Trustpilot rating and an NPS of 83, the past year has been nothing short of transformative.

Winged Boots’ best year on record was achieved while also undergoing a complete rebrand and website relaunch, something that has elevated the company’s digital presence and created a cohesive and recognisable new identity. The new in-house Ocean Studio is now used to give life to original content that captures the emotion and artistry behind every journey. The human touch is constantly assessed and analysed too, including how to offer thoughtful gifting, while for a client with a specific mobility need, the entire trip was tailored to avoid internal flights. Meanwhile, all product featured on the brand’s website has been assessed to ensure it aligns with welfare and sustainability best practice.

Client loyalty is highly valued too; from golf days to private dinners, clients are encouraged to bring guests, creating convivial, high-conversion environments, with Winged Boots having organised more events than ever before during the judging period. Community, too, lies at the heart of Winged Boots, raising more than £13,000 for Haven House Children’s Hospice through its popular Annual Shoot Day at Purdey’s Royal Berkshire Shooting School.

When it comes to its own people, the CEO Surgery initiative sees directors meet individually with every team member to hear honest feedback. There are enhanced policies covering absence management, neonatal care leave and paternity leave, while Do the Right Thing volunteer days are also a crucial motivation and back the company’s values, clearly showing how Winged Boots strives to do the right thing itself in all aspects.”

Judges said: “What can you say about a company of this vision? One that regularly rolls out genuine ‘world firsts’ in innovation, yet always with the needs and dreams of its clients at the forefront – clients who have also have the option to attend numerous ‘money-can’t-buy’ special events. Harnessing AI to deliver efficiencies that leave the team freer to focus on deeper human connections has also been crucial to Ten Lifestyle Group – in particular the roll-out of incredible new dining research and reservation technology. Travel has shot through the roof as a proportion of this impressive business’s sales in the last 12 months, partly thanks to the creation of the new Private Travel division. As an employer, its focus on team satisfaction and nurturing is also truly award-winning – and the philosophy comes top-down from co-founder and group chief executive Alex Cheatle’s ‘open-door’ policy. And as if that wasn’t enough, this is a B Corp Certified company with strong values ... truly the pinnacle of a concierge business.”

Judges said: “When luxury lines need to iron out issues, they turn to Mundy Cruising for advice and feedback, such is the 55-year-old agency’s standing in the cruise space. But it was also no surprise when judges were told how Mundy is trying to evolve from what a traditional agency looks like. This business’s focus extends far beyond the office too into the wider travel community, and its expanding Cruise Career Springboard programme enables students from socially diverse backgrounds to explore travel careers. Thanks to Mundy’s strong relationships with its partners, it is able to deliver work placements for these students and negotiate exclusive fares for its customers. These are further signs that this cruise agency is truly like no other.”

Judges said: “When a pop star needs to take time to decompress from a world tour or the CEO of a multi-national wants privileged access to a private castle, there is no doubt that Irish travel designers Adams & Butler can make it happen. Siobhan Byrne leads a small team adept at choosing suppliers who go the extra mile, such as carrying a client in a hammock so she did not have to pull out of a gorilla trek in Uganda because of a sprained ankle. It’s also worth applauding Adams & Butlers’ marketing strategy, with impactful webinars that have outlasted the Covid years and fruitful relationships with a range of travel media helping to drive awareness and bookings. A flat organisation with a can-do culture ensures that although Siobhan gives her personal number to clients, most problems are resolved before they’d think to call her. An impressive, dedicated company.”

Judges said: “This dynamic boutique agency is making waves in the wedding and honeymoon sector with an innovative approach to connecting with bridal couples at wedding fairs, alongside an extraordinarily high-touch level of service. From welcoming couples to a luxurious ‘honeymoon suite’ to make in-person bookings to providing a WhatsApp concierge service on their day of travel and often surprising clients with thoughtful, complimentary experiences during their trip, Travel Chaps has perfected the art of making clients feel both fully supported and truly understood. Destination expertise, attention to detail and an extensive list of supplier contacts on which the agency can draw to make magic happen were all very evident. And with the agency’s many very happy customers now referring friends and family to book with Travel Chaps, this is also an agency that appears to be on a meteoric growth trajectory.”

Judges said: “This bold and impressive agency truly walks the walk on sustainability, with the intelligence of an agency far bigger than its boutique size. From dedicated Environmental, Social and Governance policies and animal welfare standards to a bespoke Responsible Travel Guide, the team’s efforts are embedded at every level. Praise was given for the team’s diversity-driven marketing refresh, use of reclaimed plastic banners and extensive sustainability training. Most striking was the team’s ability to inspire change in others – actively guiding clients towards more immersive, ethical travel. Their impact spans globally and locally, from community work overseas to raising funds for a dog rescue centre in Albufeira. This small but mighty agency is proving travel can be a genuine force for good.”

Judges said: “Swords Travel put in an outstanding entry, proving them to be one of the best agencies in the UK and Ireland. The team’s level of marketing and investment in technology to improve the customer experience genuinely blew the judges away, who also really appreciated Swords’ recognition of the need to balance growth while also sometimes slowing down to protect the wellbeing of their staff and never prioritise sales at the cost of the team. They also showcased how they select and nurture strong relationships with travel partners, such as working with Little Emperors to amend a booking, after a client had accidentally booked the wrong date. Their excellent client service, positive workplace culture, support of the homeworking team, and impressive sales growth solidified them as the best in the category for this inaugural outing of the awards.”

Judges said: “Global Travel Collection is an innovator when it comes to service delivery to its network of 250 luxury travel advisors – or ‘independent contractors’ (ICs) as they are also known – in the UK, who are supported by a mighty head office team. A new partnership with Ten Lifestyle Group puts even more concierge services at advisors’ fingertips, while a tech focus on AI has allowed advisors to reclaim thousands of hours in admin time, leaving them freer to focus on client relationships. GTC’s creative ‘advisor success model’ continues to help ICs operate and grow in the way they wish to, while the focused nature of the HQ team on only bringing the right mix of advisors into the business assures longevity and variety. The focus on ‘Green Circle’ worldwide is also commendable, allowing advisors to make informed choices on sustainable hotel and travel suggestions for clients. Meanwhile training across the board is delivered in thoughtful and considered ways for the advisor community too. Passionate, successful and forward-thinking – they are a worthy winner of this inaugural Top 20 category.”

Judges said: “This was a strong submission from Travel Four Seasons, showing evidence of exceptional and often innovative service delivered via both the team at its new shop, and via its handpicked network of homeworkers who form what is clearly a tight unit. Travel Four Seasons’ bravery in both moving to a prominent high-street location with its associated bookings boom, and in rolling-out Artisan, a new brand based on a consultancy fee structure is also to be applauded. There’s clearly a robust commitment shown to staff welfare and training too, with great employee retention, as well as a care for the community the agency is part of. Also impressive was the development of a sustainability champion within the team. Ambition here is strong too, with a dynamic energy to further grow, both on the high street and within the associate network. This is definitely one to watch, as the business continues to blossom.”

Judges said: “Easily Scotland's coolest small travel agency group, Murray Travel also continues to demonstrate an unwavering passion for delivering exceptionally high standards of customer service from its four stores. Going above and beyond to deliver the very best for their clients is the norm: but this commitment was perha ps best exemplified by the case of them working with Inverness Airport after a client – a teenage girl with autism – had a negative experience at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. This incident was turned into a positive experience however, providing an opportunity for the staff to also increase their accessibility training. In a further indication of their commitment to doing the right thing, the teams are all extremely active in their local communities.”

Judges said: “Elite Travel Boutique wowed with a string of exciting developments in the past year which have helped the agency cement client relationships, sharpen team knowledge and ultimately, boost business. Judges were particularly impressed by how the team hosted a mini break for clients to Sani – forging closer ties with their customers. Meanwhile, the team’s eagerness to learn involved a tour of Manchester Airport’s relaunched Aether private terminal. Investment in its first company conference reflected a people-first culture within this agency too and further proves that while it may be small in size, Elite Travel Boutique is very much focused on making a big impact.”

“It was very impressive to see Ellidore’s focus on creating intensely unique trips and how the founder’s former life in professional rugby clearly instils a tenacious team spirit across the company... one that has had a transformative year, with new offices opened in Dallas, LA and Lisbon and corresponding team growth. Managing every detail of itineraries that are built around context, when a client needs something, they leap into action – even mobilising a security team to extract a ring in Israel and get it to Ibiza for a wedding proposal. As they say, ‘no delays, no drama, just seamless delivery at the perfect moment’. Always culturally relevant, Ellidore truly embeds itself into clients’ lives.” 

Judges said: “It’s fair to say that the team at SixStarCruises leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of high-end cruise bookings that will create long-lasting relationships with clients. It’s hardly surprising to hear how robust this company is too, achieved fabulous growth in each of the last three years. Whether it’s turning to the use of AI to ensure customers get everything they need from the call centre, tweaking existing brands, launching a customer platform, or using content creators to help spread the word to potential new customers, SixStarCruises does everything it possibly can to make the business better.”

Judges said: “Wanderlux always makes a big impression, no matter what it puts this agency puts its mind to. Founder Rebecca Puttock’s extensive black book of contacts has helped her get clients to the world’s remotest oceanic location, also known as Point Nemo, and inside a Chinese military zone – the kind of bookings some other agents and operators probably just would not even come close to considering. Wanderlux has also arranged for clients to travel with an astronaut and Greenpeace ambassador, ensuring they return home with an action point following their braggable trip. This year the focus has been on quality over quantity, with the introduction of a minimum spend per booking allowing Rebecca and her team to focus on crafting even chunkier adventures.”

Judges said: “This agency’s vast experience and expertise in planning overseas weddings and truly unique honeymoons is plain to see. Claire and her team demonstrate a level of dedication, creativity and attention to detail that makes bridal dreams come true –sometimes against all the odds! This is also an agency that strives to do the right thing, with a strong understanding of responsible tourism and a passion across the team for giving back to good causes. It’s no wonder clients often become friends, or that 90% of bridal couples become long-term loyal clients of the agency.”

Judges said: “In an incredibly close category, Travel Matters – a small but powerful business is making a real impact in the sustainability space. Now in its 26th year and proudly B Corp-certified, this agency impressed with its authenticity and practical tools, including a free carbon calculator for clients and a curated supplier library with impact reports to guide staff decisions. The team’s deep knowledge empowers customers to make better choices - such as one client who swapped a multi-leg flight itinerary for a 30-day luxury rail journey. A truly inspiring example of sustainable travel in action.”

Judges said: “Cartology Travel wowed with this entry, scoring top marks in the customer service department, after proving they regularly go above and beyond for their clients. Just one of many examples included how they organised a full-on, last-minute Japan trip without a DMC – proving not just the team’s commitment to the booking, but also how they always leverage excellent relationships with travel partners. Cartology Travel’s steadily growing network of luxury travel advisors are also clearly well supported, with co-founders Justin and Kathy personally adopting a very hands-on approach to ensure their success. Their razor-sharp focus on ‘softer skills’, such as how to manage a difficult client effectively, further set them apart from their competitors. An excellent entry overall.”

Judges said: “There is no doubt Travel Counsellors is a truly impressive business that continues to lead the way in innovative ideas that enhance how its entrepreneurial business owners service their customers. Not only are there endless real-life stories of how these TCs go above and beyond, but extremely high NPS and satisfaction scores giving further backing to customer care standards. A continued move upmarket has seen the introduction of so much more luxury product and DMCs into the fold, underpinned by market-leading tech investment such as TC Journeys. On top of all it does for its TCs – based on a philosophy of believing it can change their lives for the better – the company also looks after its own HQ staff well, and cares deeply for the communities in which it operates.”