A travel agent has won her first award in over 35 years but couldn’t be there to collect it – as she was on her honeymoon!
Jo Richards, who runs Tivoli Travel, which has offices in Holmfirth and Mirfield, is part of the Global Travel Group which, in turn, operates as part of the Travel Trade Network Group, the UK’s biggest independent travel network.
Jo doesn’t usually enter awards but decided to go ahead this year and was shocked to win the Global Travel Group 2023 award. The award is based on commitment to the business, service to clients and turnover among other criteria.
Jo, who recently married husband Paul, said: “It’s the first award I’ve won in over 35 years in travel and I am very honoured and humbled. I don’t normally put myself forward for any awards so I was very surprised to win.
“The ceremony was held in Munich but I couldn’t attend as I was on honeymoon in Mauritius! Sadly, out of 500 delegates only 250 made it as the airport at Munich was closed due to bad snow but the show went on.
“The organisers got in touch and they told me in a Zoom call that I had won. The recording was shown at the conference and on the night Paul and I celebrated with a bottle of champagne.
“We certainly had some challenging times throughout Covid and I steered all three businesses – Mirfield, Holmfirth and Lindley – through Covid single-handedly working all hours while my staff were furloughed.
“I’d like to thank all our clients past and present for their support along with my now husband Paul and my immediate family.”
Jo said she hoped to re-open the Lindley office in 2024.
