Thorne Travel staff celebrate after finally picking up AAAs accolade

Thorne Travel staff have finally got their hands on their Agent Achievement Award for Scotland Small Agency of the Year – more than two months after the official awards ceremony.

Cruise director John Ferguson was due to attend the Travel Weekly Agent Achievement Awards at London’s Park Plaza Westminster Hotel in July but had to cancel at the last minute when his grandfather passed away.

As a result, no-one from the firm was able to be at the prestigious event to collect the accolade on the night, so the agency decided to pick it up on their next visit to London.

Ferguson and sales director Christiane McCorgray stopped off at Travel Weekly’s offices in Victoria to finally collect their award this week.

Ferguson said the award was particularly special to him as it would always remind him of his grandfather.

“My grandfather knew I was coming to the AAAs and everything was booked. He died the day before the awards; he would have been devastated that I didn’t attend,” said Ferguson, adding: “It’s always going to be a special award as it will make me remember him.”

He added that the Scottish agency had been delighted to win. “We didn’t expect to win; we were shocked,” he admitted, adding the agency staff would be celebrating now they had finally picked up the award itself.