NEWS AGENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS


Agents and agencies took home accolades in categories recognising branch excellence, success in a hi


Travel by Hannah wins branch prize


M


arlborough agency Travel by Hannah secured the first Agency Branch of


the Year title at this year’s Agent Achievement Awards. Owner Hannah Porter, who


launched the business when she was just 25 years old, admitted she was left “slightly lost for words, but was really chuffed” to take home the inaugural trophy. Porter worked as an agent for


about five years before investing in a physical high street presence. She then opened the shop during the


height of the Covid pandemic. Despite the challenging retail


climate and Hannah having to deal with several personal family bereavements, the independent business has grown significantly. “Travel by Hannah started out


as literally just me,” said Porter after collecting her award. “I took the risk and opened a high street shop and have grown it from there. We’re getting great results and it’s really showing the power of the high street.” She attributed the shop’s success to building “really honest relationships”,


Specialist agency bags One to Watch gong


Newcastle-based specialist agency Vetsetters has set its sights on shifting trade-wide standards around sustainability, conservation and animal welfare after being named One to Watch at Travel Weekly’s Agent Achievement Awards. The niche business, which was


launched in 2024 by married couple Jess and James Lewis, specialises in tailoring immersive travel for vets and veterinary nurses. Jess, who is a qualified


veterinary surgeon, believes taking


a risk on a highly specific target market is why the company caught the judges’ attention. She said: “It’s a risk to be a


really niche business, but it’s a risk that’s paid off brilliantly because our customers really support and believe in us. “We’ve got such amazing


customers who want to travel, but might not have time to plan or research it. It’s about supporting them to have the best trips, but also using our position as vets to be able to support animal welfare and sustainable travel abroad.” Jess said the company will “work


heavily on where policies might need to be changed” and “where there needs to be pressure applied in the industry”. James added: “Advocacy for


James and Jess Lewis


12 16 JULY 2026


animal welfare within the travel industry is still a space that’s quite immature, and that’s a space where we can actually make an impact.”


AGENCY SUPPORT TEAM MEMBER OF THE YEAR


CHARLIE BROWN Oasis Travel


“Never mind winning, I was shocked to get nominated. I don’t want any credit for my job – all I want to do is get the job done. Oasis Travel is the best travel agency, so I’ll do anything I can to make that happen. I think endurance has helped – the past six months have been pretty crazy and I’ve been doing everything I can to help the team do their job.”


LEISURE AGENT OF THE YEAR – HOME-BASED OR CALL CENTRE


EMMA PARRY-THORPE Designer Travel


Parry-Thorpe was unable to attend the AAAs in person, but her award was collected by managing director Karen Pocock. Judges felt Parry-Thorpe ticked all the boxes, describing her as a committed and enthusiastic all-rounder who displayed impressive customer care skills, leading to exceptional levels of loyalty and referral. She delivered her best trading year, despite battling personal challenges, and still found time to support her colleagues.


travelweekly.co.uk


noting that the business boasts a 68% repeat customer rate. “We’re really integrated in the


community – we support lots of local events – and we get the support back,” she said. Porter has built a young team, applying modern marketing


techniques to traditional travel agency values. She added: “We could only dream


of this, and to be short of five years old and get this kind of recognition from when I was only 25 is pretty major. We’re going to put up a new shelf specifically for this [award].”


Jamie Laing, Hannah Porter, Lily Jones and Lucy Huxley, flank


Princess Cruises’ Yasmin McKechnie


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