This special annual award is about recognising group travel organisers for the positive impact they have on the lives of friends, family, colleagues or the local community.
First presented in 1999, the GTO of the Year Award® comes with a first prize of £2,000 to spend on a familiarisation holiday and is a great way of highlighting how GTOs bring people together to enjoy amazing experiences. But we can’t do it without you.
The 2022 finalists are…
- Robert Coleman, The London Cultureseekers Group
- Dave Hartle, Dave’s Trips
- Irene Moore, Epsom & Ewell U3A
- Jacky Oakley, Camberley & District U3A
You can find out about each of them, including why they love being a GTO and about the experiences they arrange for their group, in our special feature about them.
The winner will be announced at the Group Leisure & Travel Awards Dinner and Ceremony on Wednesday 5th October at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Milton Keynes.
Who is eligible for the award?
People who organise group trips and holidays can enter themselves into the competition, whether it’s your hobby or full-time job. We also accept nominations from group members and encourage travel trade suppliers to put forward the great group travel organisers they work with.
We always love hearing about the GTOs who have made a real difference to others.
Should you have questions about the award, or need help contact the team at Group Leisure & Travel on 01908 613323 or send an email to awards@groupleisureandtravel.com.
Your 2021 winner was….
The coveted Group Travel Organiser of the Year Award® for 2021 went to Elizabeth Hodgson, group organiser for Barnet U3A.
Reacting to the news that she had won, Elizabeth said: “I feel very humble. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed what I’ve done. The main thing is I’ve given a lot of people a lot of pleasure and will continue to do so, and that is a big reward.”
And a big round of applause for our other 2021 finalists…
- Jackie Ring, Guildford U3A
- James Silvester, Hartley and District Active Retirement Association
- Maureen Tidbury, M&G Holidays
More about the award
The GTO of the Year Award® is part of the annual Group Leisure & Travel Awards initiative.
Launched in 1998 and first awarded in 1999, this annual award now comes with a £2,000 first prize for the winner to spend on a holiday to remember. Previous winners have chosen to visit destinations including Austria, Italy and Turkey.
Over the years, all sorts of organisers have been recognised from a range of different groups and backgrounds. What they have all had in common is their ability and willingness to create fun and enjoyable opportunities for other people – many of whom would not have been able to enjoy such experiences otherwise.
Each spring, GTOs are able to enter the award or be nominated by someone. The Group Leisure & Travel team then find out more about them through a questionnaire and, if required, a phone call. A shortlist of four finalists is then decided who are then put in front of a panel of experts, which are normally made up of experienced travel trade professionals and group travel organisers, alongside the senior staff at GLT.
For more information about the Group Leisure & Travel Awards click here.
