We're proud to bring a hat trick of gold travel awards back to Sunderland
A household name which has its headquarters in Sunderland has brought home a hat trick of gold awards.
For the third year in a row, Hays Travel has clinched the highest accolade in every category it was nominated for at The British Travel Awards.
Representatives from the UK’s largest independent travel agent, which has its headquarters in Keel Square, headed to Grosvenor House in Park Lane, London, to fly the flag for the brand.
And, thanks to public vote, the travel agent has again won a gold hat trick, winning:
- Best National Travel Retailer
- Best Travel Agency for Cruise Holidays
- Best Retailer for Forex/Travel Money
Customers vote in the British Travel Awards (BTAs) to recognise the travel businesses providing the best service, product, and holidays across various categories.
They are the largest and most influential consumer-voted awards in the UK travel industry – in 2024 420,000 individuals cast over 1.6million votes across the categories .
Dame Irene Hays, owner and chair of Hays Travel, said: “We are thrilled to have won three golds for the third year in a row. I thank everyone who voted for us; receiving this endorsement from our customers is incredibly important to us.
“Whether they’re caring for customers or supporting behind the scenes, these awards belong to all our people. I am very proud of them and hope they share my delight in knowing the public has once again voted Hays Travel the nation’s favourite travel agent.”
There to pick up Hays Travel’s awards were Paula Barrett, Head of Retail; Beccy Rayner, Head of Foreign Exchange Sales; and Phoebe Thompson, Cruise Commercial Manager.
Paula Barrett, Head of Retail, collected the Gold award for Best National Travel Retailer: “Our people work tirelessly to meet our customers’ needs and deliver exceptional service every time. Collecting these awards on behalf of Hays Travel is a true honour – congratulations everyone, this is for you!”
Beccy Rayner collected the Gold award for Best Retailer for Forex/Travel Money, said: “We are completely delighted to have scooped gold for a third year in what is a highly competitive category.
“This ringing endorsement from our customers across Britain is fantastic for our whole team and proof that the efforts we put into our products, service and looking after our customers are appreciated. Thank you to everyone who voted for us.”
The UK’s largest independent travel agent, the first Hays Travel branch opened in Church Street, Seaham, more than 45 years ago and has been joined by more than 500 branches across the country.