Top 50 2024 - Wales - Sam Smith Travel, Cowbridge

In the affluent market town of Cowbridge you might be lucky enough to spot the odd visiting A-lister, like Anthony Hopkins. What you’re guaranteed to find, though, is a warm welcome from Sam Smith Travel, now is in its third year of new ownership and with a smart shop to match, complete with a sequinned world map wall. The team, with a collective 170 years’ experience, is kept happy with flexible working options and is headed up by sales and commercial manager Suzanne Cumpston, whose expert view is regularly sought in radio station interviews. Cruise specialist Wayne joined last year to manage this side of the business and the agency is looking forward to its first hosted group cruise. With Cardiff airport handily close, Sam Smith Travel has put a lot of effort into relationship building. The agency particularly wanted to educate locals on the range of long-haul routes that are possible with an easy change in Amsterdam. Suzanne’s video of a trip from Cardiff to Langkawi in Malaysia via this route was a hit on social media. There was more Asia inspiration when the agency treated customers who had expressed an interest in Japan to a special themed night at Ivy Asia in Cardiff, hosted in partnership with the Japanese National Tourist Office and specialist tour operator Wendy Wu. Highlighting the Indian Ocean is the next plan, with a seafood restaurant evening in the pipeline. Sam Smith Travel’s Facebook following has grown by a third in the last year thanks to its sharing of useful personal travel experiences and trends, plus the odd bit of fun. The agency’s own website has meanwhile had an upgrade. Used to planning some ambitious group bookings, Sam Smith Travel is currently working on taking 80 rugby fans to Europe and an ice hockey team to New York.

samsmithtravel.com