Carrier to name 30 ‘most inspiring and influential’ agents

Luxury operator Carrier will announce its 30 ‘most inspiring and influential’ travel agents next month.

It said The Carrier 30 list will include the most inspiring business leaders, exceptional travel designers and small companies who, despite the challenges of 2020, have continued to deliver outstanding levels of service and support to their clients.

Recognising that the traditional annual awards ceremony it usually holds to honour its Preferred Partners based on sales performances isn’t feasible, the list will acknowledge the people and businesses in the sector that Carrier believe should be recognised for their achievements, it said.

Head of Sales Rick Milne said: "Our annual awards ceremony is one of our most anticipated events, and of course this year it won’t be going ahead in the usual way. Whilst the past year has been extremely difficult, it has shown the importance of exceptional service and trusted partnerships.

"It has shown value in businesses who take a human approach and put their customers and staff first, and for us, it is vital that we celebrate these people and businesses.

"We are delighted to announce our plans for The Carrier 30 and hope that by shining a light on these fantastic companies in this way, it will not only provide a much-needed morale boost, but also give them something to shout about in the coming months."

The Carrier 30 winners have been identified across five categories:

The Connoisseurs – the people that offer something totally unique and exclusive. Their discreet businesses focus on servicing a select number of highly valuable, affluent clients and they take personal service to another level.

The Future Retailers – the retail travel brands who are redefining the retail experience for their customers. These businesses have prominent locations in upscale neighbourhoods with innovative store design.

The Innovators – travel professionals who break the mould in terms of their approach. They favour a less conventional model and use their first-hand experience and social media engagement to influence their networks.

The Luminaries – the luxury travel industry’s most successful directors and leaders, that inspire their teams and run businesses of true scale.

The Rising Stars – the business owners that have raised their profile in the luxury travel industry last year, further enhancing their reputation in the sector through their personal service, proactive marketing and social media presence.

The winners will be revealed on Friday 5 March.