Surrey-based, independent travel agent Haslemere Travel scooped a top industry prize at a glittering ceremony attended by more than 1,000 guests from the UK’s travel industry at London’s Battersea Evolution venue on November 2nd 2011.
Amid tough nationwide competition from high street names such as Virgin, Kuoni and Thomas Cook, Haslemere Travel won the SMALL TRAVEL RETAILER OF THE YEAR 2011 prize in the annual British Travel Awards. The BTA’s are the largest awards programme in the UK created to reward the best companies in travel, as voted for by the British public, with 700,000 votes cast – three times more than last year.
There to receive the award in person from the evening’s guest host, writer, broadcaster and actor, Gyles Brandreth, was Haslemere Travel’s founder and chairman Andrew Brownrigg.
Andrew and his wife Di moved to Haslemere, Surrey in 1988 and founded Haslemere Travel to concentrate on the leisure holiday market and, in particular, to specialise in creating personal and tailor-made itineraries.
“This award means so much more to us all at Haslemere Travel, since the votes are from the public and also from an expert panel of judges, and therefore form a seal of approval not only from our colleagues in the Industry, but also from our clients,” said Andrew.
According to Gemma Antrobus, managing director of Haslemere Travel since 2008: “Since the agency started in 1988, the skills and attributes required to be successful in the travel industry have changed dramatically, with a greater emphasis on customer service, communication, psychology and lifestyle. These are now developed within the company’s strategic programme of networking, skills development and overseas research.
“Our recent staff appointments have been chosen more for their ability to communicate well with customers, and in many cases their knowledge of living and working overseas. Their ability to understand the needs of well-travelled, experienced and demanding customers is of paramount importance and rests at the core of the company’s current success,” said Gemma.
With plans to also expand its Elite Consultants freelance consultancy network, Haslemere Travel has set its sights on even greater success in the future with full awareness and understanding of the increasingly competitive and demanding nature of the overseas travel market.
“In our case, small is definitely beautiful – getting to know our clients individually is crucial to our business and I am extremely proud of our progressive and forward-thinking team.”
To make an enquiry or arrange an appointment with any one of the team at Haslemere Travel, please call 01428 658 77.
