The bosses of the three high street stores which won places in the Ireland category for 2025 told colleagues at the annual Travel Centres Conference it was a “no-brainer” to take part in the awards.
Tom Britton, managing director of Marble City Travel, which was named Top Agency in Ireland in 2025, said going through the assessment process had not just given him new ideas, but become a blueprint by which he shapes his business strategy.
"In the last year, we’ve grown by 20% – we’ve just added new team members so we can keep up," he revealed. "Our customer retention has increased and we’ve initiated a heightened appreciation of training."
He added: "Top 50 really is the gold standard of awards and I intend to align the company even more to that gold standard going forward."
Morale boost
John Barrett, managing director of Magic Vacations, which has named Ireland’s Top Agency in 2024, admitted agents have to “work hard for it”, but said it’s “absolutely worth it”. “The assessment form does take a long time, and I’d say, put the time in, don’t rush it,” he advised.
Magic Vacations has enjoyed a very positive response from customers to its success in the Top 50 programme, and won new customers too. “To be named one of the best 50 agencies in the UK and Ireland speaks for itself,” he pointed out.
Caroline O’Toole, head of cruise sales and development at JWT Travel, said: "We sat down as a team and worked on the form together. It really helps you remember all of the great things you’ve done in the year.”
O’Toole explained that the transparency of the assessment process, and its main focus on customer service and expertise, set Top 50 apart from other awards. “You know what the criteria are and how many points there are in different sections, so if you win, you know exactly why you’ve won.
"We’re small and quite new so I didn’t think we’d do very well, but actually it’s not about how much business you’ve done or how well known you are."
A key benefit for her store has been the morale boost for her team, she added. “It’s amazing for them to get that recognition for all their hard work."
Insight Report
The panel agreed the Insight Report shared exclusively with entrants to the programme, and sponsors, was another invaluable reason to take part.
The TTG Top 50 Insight Report uses anonymised submissions data to benchmark metrics such as revenue, margin and sales per full-time equivalent consultant, as well as highlighting best practice in customer service, marketing channels and employee satisfaction initiatives.
"This is data and insight we just can’t get anywhere else,” said Britton. “Even if you’re not shortlisted, it’s a no-brainer to enter so you get the Insight Report,” he urged.
Agencies can register to take part for Top 50 Travel Agencies 2026 up until midnight on Wednesday 12 November.
In a new process for 2026, entrants fill in a short first-stage registration form to highlight a few of their key successes in the last year, which will be assessed by TTG’s editorial panel.
Contenders will also be rated by relevant suppliers who work closely with agents. Only the five finalists in each category will be required to fill in a more detailed submission form.
The TTG team and sponsor partners will visit all shortlisted branches, and video-interview all nationwide finalists, in February and March next year, and all finalists receive one complimentary ticket to the ceremony on Thursday 23 April, 2026, at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse.
