A PAIR of independent North Wales travel agents are among those who have won a prestigious award for their service during the pandemic.

As part of the nationwide Travel Counsellors network, Carina Williams and Emma Collier have earned a Queen’s Award for Enterprise - one of the highest official business accolades in the UK.

The award - which was established by royal warrant in 1965 by Queen Elizabeth II - will no doubt be welcome for Mrs Williams and Mrs Collier, who have to "burn the midnight oil" from their homes in Abergele and Rhyl.

Mrs Williams said: "We are delighted to win the Queen’s Award for enterprise.

"It is the third time the company has won this award which celebrates outstanding achievements by UK businesses in the last 12 months.

"For us personally it’s an even prouder moment to win this award during what has been a very difficult time in the Travel Industry as it recognises the support we have provided to customers."

"Having worked in travel combined for over 25 years it’s true to say that our focus on caring for people – our customers and the communities we work within - has never felt more important at this time."

From the outset of pandemic, both Mrs Williams and Mrs Collier have been working to bring home their customers - as well as supporting people who didn't book holidays - with them and are now navigating an ever changing landscape of cancellations with multiple airlines and companies.

Mrs Williams added: "One customer was on a two week break in Disney World, Florida, only to find out the park would be closing on their fourth day in.

"I ensured I stayed in contact with the family throughout and worked with our 24/7 Duty Office to get them on a flight home before anyone else was awake in the UK

"Another client who was in new Zealand travelling, needed to get home as soon as possible. With airports and boarders closing , it was a race against time to get our clients on the soonest possible flight out of New Zealand.

"We managed to get our clients on one of the last flights out before flights were grounded, meaning the client wasn’t stuck overseas."

"In our own personal experience over the last few weeks, we’ve seen holidays cut short and burnt the midnight oil to get customers home.

"Now we are supporting customers with refunds or rebooking of holidays. The regulations have changed daily with some airlines refunding and some only offering vouchers to rebook which has been a challenge.

"But we pride ourselves in being there for our customers 24/7 and will always support them."

winning one of the highest official accolades for business.