Oxford Royale Academy was named best educational product in last week’s British Youth Travel Awards, beating Ardmore Language Schools and Bell’s “Winter Explorer” programme to win its category.
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Oxford Royale Academy scoops BYTA award
Awards presenter Ade Adepitan MBE (centre) with BYTA winners The Oxford-based English language school took the award for the second year in a row, having been chosen based on criteria including customer service; quality of content; creativity in business thinking; improving or innovating a product; and commitment to health and safety.
Other winners on the night included Germany for best international youth destination and Equity Point London for best accommodation.
The awards, which are run by the British Educational Travel Association (BETA), recognise outstanding achievement in the global youth, student and educational travel industry, and winners are decided according to a judging panel, which this year consisted of Sarah McDonald, Head of Travel at Google UK, Fiona Jeffrey, Chairman of World Travel Market and Robert Savage of Beds & Bars.
“We were delighted to see a big increase in nominations this year and were all very impressed with the high standards and competition,” said Emma English, Executive Director of BETA. “Especially within the best educational product and best accommodation categories, with both receiving a record number of submissions.”
The judging panel noted that social media had played an increasingly important role this year
The judging panel noted that social media had played an increasingly important role in the youth travel market this year. Tourism Australia took the best use of social media award for its Find Barry’s Key promotion – a ‘treasure hunt’ Facebook game that encourages British and Irish backpackers to come to Australia by giving them a taste of the culture. Best mobile app went to European company Generator Hostels.
“I was delighted to see great use of technology and online channels in the integrated marketing campaign and the mobile app categories,” said McDonald at Google UK. Jeffrey added that social media was “energetic, innovative and [having] an interesting impact on effective business management” in the industry.
Other winners on the night included BritBound for best support service, and STA Travel for most effective marketing for its Australia Working Holiday Campaign.
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