News 01.12.11
‘Little things’ count for travel’s proud winner
LESS THAN three weeks after winning the 2011 WTM Pride of Travel award, cruise specialist Jo Rigby is hand- writing 2,000 specially designed Christmas cards – on her day off. It is these “little things”, which she believes is what led to her winning the top agent accolade. Homeworker Rigby, who works for Thomas Cook in Rutland, was one of seven of some of the top travel agents in the country who were nominated for the award, held in association with TTG and the Travel Channel. TTGasked you to tell us why you thought you or a colleague were the “pride of travel”, and you came back to us with numerous stories about agents’ devotion to the community, to charitable organisations, and tales of customer service that was above and beyond the call of duty. The judging panel, which included
Abta’s Mark Tanzer and Advantage chairman John McEwan, met last month to sift through the entries, and pick out their winner.
OTHER NOMINEES INCLUDED:
Shevaun Joy and Lisa Manditsch, Destination, Bradford Tim Lean, owner of Poundsavers Travel, Worcester Tristan Adams, personal travel account manager, Reed & Mackay, Farringdon, London Devra Hammond, Designer Travel, Hailsham, East Sussex Phil Hudson-Evans, travel advisor, Thomas Cook, Boston Nick Harding-McKay, owner of Travel Designers, Clapham
14 01.12.2011
After much deliberation, Rigby, who also won the TTG Agent of the Year award last year at the TTG Travel Awards, was crowned overall winner, winning two flights to anywhere in the world, courtesy of Qatar Airways.
She was nominated by
homeworking trading manager Caroline Christie, who described her as an “outstanding cruise specialist”. “Year-on-year she increases her customer portfolio, achieving more than £2 million of cruise sales in one year alone,” Christie said. “Her customer retention is currently £1 million this financial year alone. “Jo’s commitment to her customers is undoubtedly the best in the business and she prides herself on knowing all there is to know about cruise.” Rigby said she was stunned to
receive the award. “I knew I had been nominated, but my expectation was zero – I told my manager that there was no chance I would win. Even when they started describing
From left: The BBC’s Declan Curry; Hilary Devey of Dragons’ Den; WTM Agent of the Year winner Jo Rigby; Micaela Juarez from WTM; and TTGeditor Daniel Pearce
the winner, I thought, that cannot be me. “I’m a bit obsessive with my clients,” she explained. “I give them all birthday cards, and welcome home cards. I’m only a part-timer but I put in seven days a week by keeping in contact with my customers. I like to build up a relationship with people when they book with me.
“I’ve specially designed 2,000 Christmas cards at my own expense – I don’t mind spending the money because I know I’ll get it back in other ways. “It’s all about retaining customers – I want them to know they can come to me with any question. Basically, I treat them how I would like to be treated if I was booking a holiday myself,” she added.
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