Top 50 2024 - Northern Ireland - Oasis Travel, Lisburn

Having marked its 40th birthday last year, Oasis Travel has long been a fixture of the city of Lisburn. As the flagship store for the eight-strong independent agency chain it has plenty of room, including for private appointments under its high-end Oasis Portfolio brand. A music playlist helps create a welcoming atmosphere. Among the team’s youngest members is Dorothea, who speaks an impressive five languages – handy for ensuring hotels have clients’ special requests in place. She and her colleagues have also learned some sign language to support a deaf client. Continuing its support for new talent, Naomi has recently been welcomed as an apprentice in the agency. Learning is continuous for the whole team, with a long list of training events with tour operators and cruise lines attended in the last year, alongside resort and cruise ship visits. Six events ranging from drinks and canapes to sit-down dinners were hosted in 2023 for loyal clients. Oasis Travel certainly has many of these as, according to review site Feefo, more than 97% of clients would actively recommend its services. Among nice touches, the agency arranges personal greetings from a pilot the team know for clients onboard his flights who are celebrating special occasions. While manager Briege McElroy says cruise and beach holidays are the agency’s biggest sellers, it’s seeing more interest in escorted touring following inspirational TV programmes and the store’s tie-in advertising. In common with its sister agencies, it introduced a smart new customer quote system for its bespoke itineraries last year and took part in a huge cruise show to introduce its clients to different lines. Keeping its community focus, it has sponsored various charity events and sports teams and donated air fryers to a food bank. Its own recent fundraising events included a walk in memory of a former colleague.

oasis-travel.co.uk