2027 nominations and entries are open, with a first prize of £3,000 to spend on a holiday up for grabs, as this special award continues to recognise group travel organisers for the positive impact they have on the lives of friends, family, colleagues or the local community.
The GTO of the Year Award® is a special part of the annual Group Leisure & Travel Awards initiative.
Launched in 1998 and first awarded in 1999, this annual award now comes with a £3,000 first prize for the winner to spend on a holiday to remember. Previous winners have chosen to visit destinations including Austria, Italy and Turkey.
Over the years, all sorts of organisers have been recognised from a range of different groups and backgrounds.
But what they have all had in common is their ability and willingness to create fun and enjoyable opportunities for other people – many of whom would not have been able to enjoy such experiences otherwise.
Nominate a GTO, or if you are a a group organiser, enter yourself using the links below…
Who can win the award?
People who organise group trips and holidays can enter themselves into the competition, whether it’s your hobby or full-time job.
We also accept nominations from group members and encourage travel trade suppliers to put forward the great group travel organisers they work with.
The Group Leisure & Travel team then find out more about them through a questionnaire and, if required, a phone call. A shortlist of four finalists is then decided who are then put in front of a panel of experts, which are normally made up of experienced travel trade professionals and group travel organisers, alongside the senior staff at GLT.
The winner was announced at the Group Leisure & Travel Awards ceremony at the five-star Royal Lancaster Hotel on Friday 11th June 2027.
The GTO of the Year Award® 2027 is partnered by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
As a family-run cruise line, Fred. Olsen really takes your experience personally. While the rest of the cruise industry has gone for bigger ships, Fred. Olsen has always believed that smaller is better. They have fewer guests on board so the service is personal and the atmosphere is warm and civilised.
The dedicated groups team is on hand to help you plan your cruise. Plus, your party can enjoy a choice of added value benefits.
With Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, you can sail from regional UK ports with itineraries available from Rosyth (Edinburgh), Newcastle, Liverpool and Southampton.
The winner of the 2026 award was…
Sue Povey who organises for Out and About with Sue was the latest winner in a long line of fantastic GTOs stretching all the way back to the first presentation in 1999.
She describes being a group organiser as a “lifetime hobby” - her passion and commitment demonstrated by the fact that she even set up a new group after relocating - and she’s currently the busiest she’s ever been. Some of the places the group has visited in recent years include the Peak District, the Brecon Beacons, Austria and Italy.
Congratulations to the other finalists who were:
- Becky Chikaura, Ms Bee Group Travel
- Carol Gower, CBA Millenium Outings
- Jane Minshull, Sandbach Friends on Tour
You can find out more about each finalist, and their group, in our special feature here.
Should you have questions about the Group Travel Organiser of the Year Award®, or need help, you can contact the team at Group Leisure & Travel on 01908 613323 or send an email to awards@groupleisureandtravel.com.
For more information about the Group Leisure & Travel Awards click here.
