Abermule travel advisor wins award
A woman who runs a home-based travel business has been presented with the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise for international growth.
Gwyneth Prosser, from Abermule, near Newtown, runs her business as part of independent travel company Travel Counsellors and said she was delighted to have contributed towards the company's success.
The company received the highly respected award for international trade having expanded to overseas markets in Ireland, the Netherlands, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Dubai and most recently Belgium earlier this year.
Gwyneth said: "I am thrilled the company has received this fantastic accolade. Our international expansion hugely benefits me and my customers as I have access to exclusive products and can draw on the local knowledge and support of fellow Travel Counsellors in eight countries across the globe, offering my customers a unique level of personal insight into travel destinations worldwide.
"I am so proud to be part of a company that has received the Queen's Award for a second time.
"Since joining the company in 2013 I've seen my leisure travel business go from strength to strength.
"I take the time to get to know my clients and their needs to find them the perfect trip that's just right for them.
"My customers really appreciate the fact that I am always there for them should they need me, something they would not find by booking online.
"I believe the company has grown globally because its customers trust the independent, expert, personalised travel advice we provide."
The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are awarded to businesses for outstanding achievement in international trade, innovation and sustainable development, and are announced annually on April 21, the Queen's birthday. About 160 Queen's Awards were presented this year.
The award follows Travel Counsellors being the first, and so far the only, UK travel agency to receive the Queen's Award for Innovation in 2003, which recognised the company's original and pioneering concept of allowing travel professionals like Gwyneth to work from home.
The company, which now has 800 Travel Counsellors across the UK and a further 500 in its overseas operations, has experienced a growth of 120 per cent since its first overseas launch in Ireland nine years ago.
