Watch: Highlights from the Travel Industry Awards by TTG 2021

Guests were treated to a gospel choir, dance performance and celebrity hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman before 29 accolades were awarded to companies and individuals across the sector, following a strict judging process involving travel agent ratings, TTG Top 50 agents and senior leaders from across the sector.

And with its new trust mark of excellence – the Travel Industry Awards by TTG represent the most prestigious accolades in travel.

Commenting on the night, TTG Media CEO Daniel Pearce said: “We’ve been absolutely bowled over by the number of fantastic comments we’ve received from guests who attended the inaugural Travel Industry Awards by TTG. After two years in the planning we were thrilled to reunite this incredible industry as we look ahead to rebuild a smarter, better, fairer sector for us all."

Jet2holidays and homeworker Jo Shayler took home the biggest trophies of the night, while the inaugural John Hays Entrepreneur Award was bestowed upon James Cole, founder of Panache Cruises, by Dame Irene Hays and daughter Helen Hays.

The Italian National Tourist Office LGBT+ Trailblazer award went to Celebrity Cruises’ vice president and managing director EMEA, Jo Rzymowska, while Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, was named Travel Legend of 2021.