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face of travel 2009 knowledge
Face of Travel
2008 winners
Last year’s Face of Travel winners were Karen Eason
from Sunshine Travel and Ryan Inman from Cruise
Thomas Cook. We asked them what spurred them to
enter the competition, how it’s changed their lives and
what tips they would give to agents thinking about
getting involved this year. This is what they had to say
Karen Eason, Ryan Inman, Cruise
About our sponsor
Sunshine Travel Thomas Cook
Celebrity Cruises
All those nice prizes I entered Face of
were certainly an Travel to meet new
Michael English is head of field attractive incentive people and boost my
sales at Celebrity Cruises. He to enter last year’s career development.
says: “We are delighted to competition. But it When I won, I
sponsor this year’s TTG Face was also about the became a bit of a
of Travel to find two winners potential opportuni- celebrity among my
who will represent TTG, Celebrity Cruises ties for raising my colleagues, and I got
and the travel industry at large during the business profile. a letter of congratula-
next 12 months at a range of top events. I would strongly recommend other agents tions from Manny, our chief executive.
“Last year’s competition attracted to get involved this year. In fact, it’s been mad ever since. In
hundreds of applicants and more than The competition has created some fantas- addition to all the events I’ve attended as
6,000 votes, and this year’s competition tic new opportunities for us. For example, part of my prize, I’ve landed a new job, still
promises to be equally popular. We look we had always been wary of selling cruise within Cruise Thomas Cook, as sales and
forward to welcoming you onboard.” but with the support of last year’s sponsor, development executive for the south. I’d like
Celebrity Cruises sails to more than 200 Royal Caribbean, we’ve now developed a to think that through the competition, my
destinations worldwide, from the Caribbean, cruise business from scratch and set up raised profile helped me to secure the role.
Alaska, Europe and the Mediterranean to a cruise club for clients. On the events side, the highlights have
ports of call in Australia, New Zealand and BBC Wiltshire has also covered been the TTG Travel Awards,
South America. my story a few times, which has the cruise on Independence
It prides itself on indulging the customer boosted interest among the local which was phenomenal,
with “unsurpassed luxury and service”. It community and attracted more and going to Abta’s Travel
offers one staff member to every two guests, business. Convention.
and provides a butler service in every suite. For me, one of the best I would certainly recom-
Agent Anthony Blackmore cruised on the parts was the final itself mend other agents go
Celebrity Solstice inaugural in November. He onboard Independence. We ahead and enter this year.
says: “I am delighted to say that Celebrity got to see Scouting for Girls I wouldn’t be where I am
Cruises did not overhype Celebrity Solstice. and network with so many now if I hadn’t given it a
She delivered more than promised. Every good contacts. The whole go. It’s also been great for
experience is designed to make the guest atmosphere on the ship my personal development
feel special and unhurried, which has was buzzing. and really boosted my
certainly paid off.” My advice for agents confidence.
Log on to Faceoftravel.co.uk to find out thinking of entering is: be fun My advice to entrants is:
more about Celebrity Eclipse’s top-selling and quirky. Don’t take yourself enjoy the experience and be
features, and meet the sales team behind too seriously and when it comes creative to ensure you’re
the Celebrity brand. to your presentation, think one step ahead of the
outside the box. competition.
08.05.2009 41
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