Top East of England Agency 2024 - Oyster Travel, Norwich

EAST OF ENGLAND’S TOP AGENCY 2024
Oyster Travel, Norwich

A newly formed customer support team meet and greet all Oyster Travel clients and match them up with the best travel consultant to suit their needs.

Introducing an appointment service is another change working wonders at the agency, run by co-managing directors Sophie Baker and Vicky Samwell-Buckenham. The agency’s rebrand features a new website, while other upgrades include the ability to make online payments and a Norwich airport departures page. A Cyprus wedding group of 61 passengers and a tailor-made New Zealand business trip that included researching events spaces were just two stand-out bookings from the past year, while Sophie put her Christmas Day on hold to help a client in Vietnam whose flights had been cancelled. With a blend of experienced and more junior staff, the agency has a strong focus on training and upskilling. Apprentice team member Brooke has been offered a job on completion while students from Norwich City College regularly do work experience. Every staff member is able to take at least one overseas trip a year to improve their product knowledge, while team social activities range from nights out to paddle boarding. This agency has its finger on the pulse with sustainability, highlighting certified sustainable hotels and tours when sharing offers, while clients’ final tickets are delivered along with six top tips for a sustainable holiday. To engage the local community, the team run a competition for local school children to design its Christmas card. Customers and parents vote for their favourite via social media, which is printed and sent to all customers who’ve booked in the past year. Further charitable endeavours include regularly donating raffle prizes and supporting Circus Starr, which brings the magic of the circus to disabled children and their families.

oystertravelnorwich.co.uk