Teesside Airport has welcomed 70 local travel agents and suppliers for its first trade event since the start of the pandemic.
Agents were given a VIP tour of the airport’s refreshed facilities, including the recently opened Skybar, so they could see for themselves the results of the terminal’s £3 million transformation.
The upgrade includes new check-in area, state-of-the-art security scanners, bars, retail outlets and the UK’s first Bannatyne Spa in an airport.
Delegates also had the opportunity to network with key airlines and tour operators that work with the airport.
Sharon Ellis from The Personal Travel Agents won two return tickets to Amsterdam from the airport with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
Sharon said: “All the staff I met take great pride in their fabulous airport, making it a welcoming and easy experience for our customers. They also work closely with local businesses and are great at supporting us travel agents.”
Other prize winners were Natalie Wood from Hays Travel, who won a spa break for two at Rockliffe Hall, the region’s only five-star hotel and another partner of Teesside Airport.
Sam Birdsey from Hays Travel scooped a World Duty Free hamper and Emma Wallinger from The Travel Lounge won a £100 Bannatyne Airport Spa shopping spree.
Teesside Airport Managing Director Phil Forster said: “It’s been great to welcome so many of our local travel agents to the airport to showcase our improved facilities and thank them for their support.
“We’re helping them to spread the message that we’re back on the map far and wide, not just across the Tees Valley but in cities like Sunderland so everyone knows how quick, easy and convenient using Teesside is.
“We are already planning our next event later this year and are planning new ways in which we can work with our local agents who are key to our airport’s success.”
Phil extended an open invitation to other agents in the region to go and visit.
“I urge any agents who have not visited Teesside Airport for some time to reach out to our travel agent support team, who will be happy to showcase our airport,” he said.
Email [email protected] to arrange a visit.
