An independent travel agency with branches in Lindley and Holmfirth has been named as one of the best in the business.

Mirfield-based Tivoli Travel won a place in a power-list of the top agencies in the UK and Ireland by industry bible Travel Trade Gazette. Tivoli Travel was one of just three agencies in the Yorkshire category to earn a place in this prestigious list.

More than 400 travel agencies and branches put themselves forward for consideration for TTG’s Top 50 Travel Agencies 2021, from which a shortlist of 100 finalists across 20 categories was devised.

Each regional finalist was interviewed by a TTG journalist at the start of the year, to assess their customer service, expertise, business performance, and efforts to give back to the local community, with particular attention paid this year to their handling of the Covid-19 crisis.

Company founder Jo Richards, who enjoyed the virtual awards presentation from home with a glass of Prosecco in hand, said: “I’m extremely proud to be recognised in these awards, particularly considering the year the travel industry has had to endure.

“We are still unsure when we might get planes back into the sky with a third wave spreading across Europe but, rest assured, we’ll be here to support our clients whatever happens over the next few months.”

TTG editor Sophie Griffiths said: “Against the backdrop of the Coronavirus pandemic, travel agents have been tested to their limits over the past 12 months. But the nation’s best agencies have shone particularly brightly, working tirelessly – often for little or no reward – to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of their customers.

“From repatriating huge volumes of travellers from around the world at the start of the crisis to battling for refunds on their behalf for months on end, their worth really has been proven.

“Each agency that earned a place in our Top 50 list this year worked hard to impress our judges and should feel incredibly proud of what they have achieved.”