Four exceptional professionals have been shortlisted for the 2026 Excellence Award, each demonstrating outstanding dedication to group travel. From theatre ticketing to heritage sites, meet the individuals who go above and beyond for group organisers.
The customer service group travel organisers receive before, during and after a trip can make or break the experience. Which is why The Excellence Award is so important.
It was created to shine a spotlight on the people in the travel industry who make a difference to groups. Those special individuals who go above and beyond to help make the organising process as stress-free as possible, resulting in a memorable experience.
The finalist who receives the most votes will be announced during this year’s Group Leisure & Travel Awards ceremony which takes place on Friday 12th June at the five-star Royal Lancaster Hotel, London. For ticket and event info, click here.
Your 2026 Excellence Award finalists…
Janine Akalley, group sales and office manager, Plimbley Travel
Janine’s role includes making sure the day-to-day running of tour operator, Plimbley Travel is smooth, efficient, professional - and proactive. In fact, she has been described as the heartbeat of its operations and someone who deals with logistics, schedules, and staff management effortlessly.
With more than 25 years of experience in the travel sector, she has developed lasting friendships with numerous group organisers throughout her career. She continues to support GTOs who are new to the company, helping them select the perfect holiday and create unforgettable experiences. As Janine shared with us: “I feel that so many are not just group organisers but also very special friends.” This sentiment extends equally to the suppliers and industry partners she collaborates with.
Since moving to Plimbley Travel Janine has also been able to use her expertise within the group travel market to promote what the operator offers through events, advertising and involvement in important occasions such as the Group Leisure & Travel Show.
What she particularly loves about her job is “meeting up with organisers and partners within the industry at different events throughout the year” and on many occasions visiting the group organiser and their group on their holidays to ensure everthing runs smoothly. Janine loves the social side of travel and admits “it’s the reason why I have been part of this industry for so long.”
She enjoys going out and finding the right hotels and resorts that are suitable for Plimbley Travel customers and making sure they are the required standard for its groups. It’s not uncommon to find her chatting with guests and group organisers, making sure everyone is not just satisfied, but delighted.
Plimbley Travel is a group‑travel specialist and arranges coach, ferry and air holidays across the UK and Europe. Popular options include coastal resorts, countryside retreats and city breaks. Working with partners such as Warner, TLH and Daish’s, the team offers nationwide pickups and tailored itineraries. GTOs can benefit from a free‑place structure and the tour operator can create customised trips to suit different dates, destinations and interests.
Anthony McGinley, client engagement and sales specialist, ATG Group Sales
Anthony works closely with group travel organisers and coach tour operators to book group theatre tickets and to ensure their trips run as smoothly and efficiently as possible from a ticketing perspective. He told us: “I focus on maintaining strong, professional relationships with every client while always seeking new opportunities to support and grow our customer base.”
He helps give group bookers an early warning of when shows are going on sale, and works to get preferred tickets for his clients. He has been described as “always cheery and helpful and is a true asset to the ATG Team in Sunderland, providing an excellent level of customer service and going above and beyond every single time.”
The bonds Anthony has built with his clients are something he takes immense pride in. He said: “They’re what make my job truly worth it. Above all, it’s my responsibility to make sure all our clients feel safe, supported, and cared for when booking tickets and visiting our incredible venues, delivering a seamless experience they can trust every time.”
His aim is to help audiences feel cared for and confident when booking their theatre experiences. Being around people who share a genuine passion for live entertainment certainly helps and he admits that “being part of that world is something I truly treasure.”
The magic of theatre, the stories, the atmosphere, the shared emotion, is what inspires Anthony the most and his role is all about bringing those moments to all types of groups and providing exceptional service to GTOs and coach tour operators.
ATG Tickets is one of the country’s biggest ticket providers and offers deals for groups for West End shows, national tours, pantomime and attractions. The group sales team can help with holding tickets, discounts, VIP upgrades and securing great seats for favourites such as Wicked, The Lion King and Mamma Mia!
Tamsyn Rangel, group bookings coordinator, Waddesdon Manor
Tamsyn delivers a first class service to those who book and bring groups to Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire and her prompt replies to enquiries and questions means that the organiser will have all the information they need before their visit.
Group organisers feel reassured to be able to speak to Tamsyn on the phone rather than having to navigate a website and find the information without having a personal contact. She treats every group booker as a VIP and if she does not know the answer, she will find it out in the blink of an eye.
On the day of arrival, Tamsyn will personally meet and greet most groups. Her cheerful and professional manner means they instantly feel welcome and familiar with what they will experience before leaving the coach.
Apart from dealing directly with group bookings, Tamsyn is instrumental in bringing forward new ideas and suggestions of improvements for group visits to Waddesdon, such as new catering products and how to make a group visit even more enjoyable.
Every day is different for Tamsyn who enjoys working with group travel organisers, coach companies and tour operators to arrange visits to the popular national heritage site. She told us: “I love being a part of an environment where history, culture and storytelling come together to create memorable experiences for visitors from all over the world and that allow groups to explore and appreciate our heritage.”
She added: “What I enjoy most is knowing that my work helps people connect with the past while making memories that will stay with them long after their visit. Whether it’s arranging a smooth itinerary, coordinating special requirements, or ensuring groups feel welcomed when they arrive, I take pride in helping create special moments for our guests.”
Waddesdon Manor is a grand French Renaissance‑style château in Buckinghamshire, built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild. Visitors can tour its richly furnished interiors, featuring notable art and decorative collections, and explore the landscaped gardens with formal parterres and seasonal displays. Highlights include the aviary, wine cellars, woodland walks and it also hosts exhibitions and seasonal events throughout the year. Groups can organise guided tours, wine tastings and even dining experiences to enhance their visit.
Lily Wunsch, travel trade manager, Shakespeare’s Globe
Lily looks after the Globe’s relationships and representation within the travel and tourism industry, which sees her working closely with GTOs and coach tour operators to understand and respond to their wishes and requirements when it comes to visiting Shakespeare’s Globe in London.
Being the point of contact for group travel organisers and coach operators looking to find out what the Globe offers certainly keeps her busy. She told us: “I make sure that GTOs receive our news and updates and share marketing assets and product training, and whenever possible, I work on arranging memorable familiarisation visits. I also attend trade shows and industry events globally to meet with new operators and make sure I remain a familiar face to those we are lucky enough to have existing relationships with.”
But what does Lily love most about her job? She said: “So many things! It is a pleasure to work at Shakespeare’s Globe and represent the exciting and important work that goes into the dynamic and diverse programming every year. You can’t step inside the Globe Theatre without envisioning people filling it, so it’s brilliant working to bring groups into a space where the audience is so integral to the experience. I’m also lucky to work with many wonderful, creative, and thoughtful colleagues who work tirelessly to provide the best possible service to our customers.”
Sitting on Bankside by the River Thames, Shakespeare’s Globe in London opened in 1997 and is a faithful reconstruction of the original open‑air playhouse where many of Shakespeare’s works were first performed. Not only does it offer a historically informed theatre experience with its thatched roof, open yard and timber‑framed design, but groups of up to 45 people can get discounts for performances and guided tours, as well as being able to arrange dining at the Swan Bar & Restaurant.
The Excellence Award forms an important part of the annual Group Leisure & Travel Awards.
To find out more about this award category click here, and to go to the GLT Awards home page click here.
The voting form for this year’s finalists will close on Sunday 10th May 2026 and then the winner will be revealed at the ceremony in London on Friday 12th June.
