05 Novembber 2010
Virgin Holidays triumphs at British Travel Awards 2010
Thirteen awards won on a glittering night at the 'travel industry Oscars' - including Large Package Holiday Company of the Year
Virgin Holidays swept the board at last night's prestigious British Travel Awards, scooping thirteen of the trophies. A record haul of accolades included seven golds and, in the biggest win of the evening, saw Virgin Holidays collect the top prize of Large Package Holiday Company of the Year, presented by Lisa Minot, travel editor of The Sun, beating the likes of Kuoni, Thomas Cook and BA Holidays to bag the trophy that everyone wants.
The British Travel Awards are widely referred to as the 'Oscars of the travel industry'. Voted for by the public, they are supported by some of the UK's largest media outlets including the Sunday Times, The Sun, Rough Guides and Classic FM. The glitzy ceremony, held at London's Battersea Evolution, was attended by over a thousand travel industry professionals, political figures, celebrities and the most influential UK travel journalists (among them, the travel editors of The Times, Daily Mirror, News of the World and Mail on Sunday).
The full list of Virgin Holidays' wins is as follows:
Gold awards:
- Large Package Holiday Company of the Year
- Small Travel Retailer of the Year
- Best Weddings and Honeymoons Tour Operator
- Best Tour Operator to the Americas
- Best Winter Sports Operator
- Best Tour Operator to South East Asia
- Best Tour Operator to the Indian Ocean
Silver awards:
- Best Safari, Wildlife and Nature Tour Operator
- Supplier Sales Team of the Year
Bronze awards:
- Best All Inclusive Tour Operator
- Best Tour Operator to the Middle East and Africa
- Best Cruise Holiday Retailer (Virgin Holidays Cruises)
- Best Holiday Attraction Ticket Provider
Amanda Wills, Virgin Holidays Managing Director, said: "To receive this kind of endorsement from our customers and the general public in our 25th year is just fantastic. It really is a testament to the hard work and commitment of all the staff at Virgin Holidays and our 'rockstar service', and puts us right at the top of our industry. This awards haul sees us beat last year's record of seven, and I am absolutely thrilled that everyone in the business can share in the recognition."
Virgin Holidays was nominated in a record number of categories this year, competing against both mainstream and specialist businesses from a wide variety of sectors. The event organisers estimate over two hundred thousand votes were cast by members of the public.
Last night's success comes on the back of an impressive year for Virgin Holidays, which has already seen the company voted Long Haul Tour Operator of the Year at the TTG Awards, Caribbean Tour Operator of the Year by Travel Agents Choice and Best Specialist Operator - USA, Canada and Caribbean at the Travel Weekly Globe Awards.
For further information please contact:
Kate Allan
Virgin Holidays
E: kate.allan@virginholidays.com