This unique annual award, with a £2,000 first prize, 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® 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.

Nominations and entries for 2024 are now open

We’re asking GTOs to put themselves forward, and for anyone to nominate a group travel organiser they feel deserves thanks and recognition for what they do.

Click here to enter

Click here to nominate

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. 

Gott 2 Travel aboard the MPS Calypso

This award highlights amazing GTOs. Pictured is 2023 winner, Mary Gotts (centre) when she chartered the entire MPS Calypso to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee in style.

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.

Every year, 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.

The Group Travel Organiser of the Year Award® 2023 is partnered by Ambassador Cruise Line.

Ambassadoir Cruise Line Logo

Ambassador sails for the British market from London Tilbury with a focus on premium-value. Its first ship, Ambience, set sail from Tilbury in April 2022 on an ex-UK no-fly range of voyages. Ambassador’s second ship, Ambition, entered service in May 2023, carrying 1,200 guests in 714 cabins, with ten guest decks. She will operate itineraries from London Tilbury as well as cruises from six UK regional departure ports, including Newcastle, Dundee, Liverpool, Belfast, Bristol and Falmouth.

Find out more

The 2023 winner was…

…Mary Gotts, GOTT 2 TRAVEL, congratulations Mary!

GTO Mary Gotts is presented with the GTO of the Year Award by Alan Rennie at Ambassador Cruise Line and ventriloquist Paul Zerdin

GTO Mary Gotts is presented with the GTO of the Year Award® by Alan Rennie at Ambassador Cruise Line and ventriloquist Paul Zerdin during the GLT Awards ceremony on 4th October in Milton Keynes.

Also, a big well done to the finalists for being recognised for their outstanding service to their groups. They were:

  • Andy Hine, The Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain
  • Linda Hubbard, Bexley Civic Society
  • Richard Preston, The Valentine Club.

You can read about our winner Mary and our other brilliant 2023 finalists here.

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.

For more information about the Group Leisure & Travel Awards click here.