This coveted annual award, with a first prize of £2,500 to spend on a holiday, continues to recognise 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® is a major highlight of the annual Group Leisure & Travel Awards and a unique way in which we highlight how GTOs bring people together to enjoy amazing experiences.
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.
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.
The GTO of the Year Award® 2025 is partnered by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
As a family-run cruise line, Fred. Olsen really takes your experience personally. While the rest of the cruise industry has gone for bigger ships, Fred. Olsen has always believed that smaller is better. They have fewer guests on board so the service is personal and the atmosphere is warm and civilised.
The dedicated groups team is on hand to help you plan your cruise. Plus, your party can enjoy a choice of added value benefits.
With Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, you can sail from regional UK ports with itineraries available from Rosyth (Edinburgh), Newcastle, Liverpool, Southampton, Dover and Portsmouth in 2025 and 2026.
The winner of the 2025 award was…
Big congratulations go to Emma Durrant of The Sound Collective who won the GTO of the Year Award® 2025. As always, it was a tough decision for the judges and we were so lucky to have four brilliant finalists. The other finalists for 2025 were:
- Jackie Ames, Unity 70 Travel & Leisure
- Carol Dixson-Smith, Sawbridgeworth U3A
- Ray Spiller, Broomfield Coach Trips
You can read more about the GTO of the Year® winner and finalists in our special feature by clicking here.
The 2025 judging panel had a tough job choosing a winner, and our thanks go to them for their time and valued contribution:
- Ellie Fulcher, Fred. Olsen Cruise Line
- Charlotte Howle, Chester Zoo
- Joyce Cook, Basingstoke & Old Basing U3A (GTO of the Year® 2024)
- Rob Yandell, Group Leisure & Travel
What the 2025 judges thought of Emma
“Meeting Emma was a delight, I was overwhelmed by her energy, positivity, motivation and enthusiasm in everything that she does,” said Ellie Fulcher from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. “It is very clear that Emma has a natural flair and passion for group organising and thoroughly enjoys it.
“Emma’s story of how she became a GTO based on her own personal circumstances, relocating after the pandemic, was heart-felt and it is a testament to her that she created her own new community not just for herself, but also for the benefit of so many others.
“But what inspired me the most was how Emma recognises that her members all have their own stories and are benefitting primarily from the social contact and connection with others within the new communities that she has created. Congratulations to Emma, for all that you have achieved, you are an outstanding advocate for the group travel industry and a very worthy winner – well done!”
Charlotte Howle from Chester Zoo said: “Emma is a fantastic example of a great GTO. She has gone above and beyond for her members, taking a group that started as a choir and turning it into a thriving community with diverse interests.
“There are people of all ages and from all walks of life, who initially met through a shared love of music, but have gone on to form lasting friendships through the additional activities that Emma organises, including group day trips and holidays. Emma’s work as a GTO is a brilliant example of how group activities can bring people together, which is especially important today with almost four million UK residents experiencing loneliness.”
Joyce Cook, organiser for Basingstoke & Old Basing U3A and GTO of the Year® 2024 commented: “It was an honour to be asked to help in the judging this year. I feel there was a real “Buzz” in the tourist industry when we heard from the 4 finalists. All had great enthusiasm and enjoyment in their groups. The winner was able to share the events with a very wide range of people and in many ways. Perhaps the other finalists will be nominated again in the next couple of years.”
“This award is about the positive impact that GTOs have on the lives of other people and Emma encapsulated that brilliantly”, said Rob Yandell of Group Leisure & Travel. “Her story blew me away, as did her passion, humility, warmth, dedication and hard work to ensure she provides memorable expriences for her members. As usual, all finalists were excellent and choosing a winner was not easy, but in Emma we have a very worthy GTO of the Year®.”
About the award
The GTO of the Year Award® is a special part of the annual Group Leisure & Travel Awards initiative.
Launched in 1998 and first awarded in 1999, this annual award now comes with a £2,500 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.
But 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.
Should you have questions about the Group Travel Organiser of the Year Award®, or need help, you can contact the team at Group Leisure & Travel on 01908 613323 or send an email to awards@groupleisureandtravel.com.
For more information about the Group Leisure & Travel Awards click here.
