Best Workplaces in Travel 2024 revealed | Travolution

Travel players from across the industry yesterday gathered at Grant Thornton in London to recognise worthy employers at the Best Workplaces in Travel 2024 Awards.

In total 26 companies met the threshold to achieve recognition at the awards that uses a survey format that enables every individual to rate what’s important to them – unlike most other static list of questions in other surveys.

Holiday Extras scooped pole position as it took home the award for the Large Business category, with Iglu and Royal Caribbean in second and third place respectively.

Ice Travel Group celebrated their win as best mid-size company, ahead of Simpson Travel with Jacanda, that came in third place.

Global Travel Management, a new entrant for this year, came out on top of the Small Business category, ahead of Holiday Architects and Lusso.

Luxury Coastal won the micro company award, with Focus Travel Partnership and Mundy Cruising in second and third place.

Luxury Coastal also took home the Purpose Award, which recognises companies whose employees are clear about their objectives and are aligned with its company goals.

Holiday Architects lifted three awards on the night for Best Company for Wellbeing, Equitability, and Performance & Recognition.

Other special awards were won by Saga, who won the We Try Harder category by

showing the most significant improvement in their overall score, and SwimTrek, which took home the Happiest Workplace award.

A snapshot of the survey insights were revealed on the night with the top five criteria that make a “great place” cited as respect for work life balance; leaders are supportive, positive and inspiring; being part of a team that works well together; all individuals are valued and fair pay.

Gail Kenny, co-founder of Best Workplaces in Travel, said: “These Awards aim to drive employee engagement and to improve our industry’s reputation, with the objective to showcase travel as a great industry to work in.

“I’m delighted to congratulate the brilliant travel brands who made the list – the calibre of entrants was outstanding.

Kenny added: “We’re excited to already be planning next year’s awards, which will launch at the end of the 2024.”

Jane Sunley, of workplace culture experts Hendrick & Hyde, added: “The benefits speak for themselves.

“Industry recognition will help boost employer brands which ultimately helps attract, engage, and retain talent.

“I’m delighted that the insights and advice we gave to Holiday Extras last year contributed towards their big win in 2024.

“The invaluable people insights our tech partner, Korero’s, survey produces helps companies to plan their people strategies and to benchmark within the travel industry,” she said.

Listening to today’s demanding and ever-changing workforce is vitally import towards building better, more profitable service businesses.”