Travel Counsellors, easyJet holidays and Panache Cruises are among the travel entries in the Sunday Times’ 2025 list of the best places to work in the UK.
The other travel companies featured are loveholidays, Holiday Extras, Travelperk and The Turquoise Holiday Company.
Victoria Wilson, chief people officer at Travel Counsellors, said: “Being recognised as one of the UK’s best places to work for the third year in a row is something we’re incredibly proud of. It shows that culture isn’t something we simply talk about, it’s something we live and protect every day.”
Travel Counsellors, easyJet holidays, loveholidays, Holiday Extras and travel management company Travelperk are named in the ‘large company’ section, while Panache Cruises and The Turquoise Holiday Company are recognised in the ‘small company’ section.
EasyJet holidays chief executive Garry Wilson said: “I couldn’t be prouder that easyJet holidays has been named one of the Sunday Times’ best places to work for the third year in a row.
“This recognition is a true testament to the passion, dedication and commitment of our brilliant team.
“They’re at the heart of everything we do, creating a culture of belonging that makes our workplace so inclusive and engaged. I’m excited to continue on our growth journey together with every member of our fantastic team.”
Loveholidays chief people officer Rick Kershaw said: “I’m delighted loveholidays has been recognised as one of the UK’s best places to work for the third year running, thanks to feedback that has come directly from our team.
“It’s great to see our efforts around learning and development, recognition and wellbeing are making an impact, helping us to both attract and retain our talented team, who work hard every day to deliver for our customers.”
Travel Counsellors’ 442 employees, who support more than 2,000 homeworking franchisees across six countries, are noted as having access to “global immersion trips, travel showcases and conferences abroad”.
The Sunday Times also cites the company’s calendar of free events, including staff parties and family days, in addition to the hybrid working approach allowing staff to work two days from home.
The ‘Moments that Matter’ day is also mentioned, as are the “free massages, discounted holidays and free Costco membership”.
Panache Cruises has been praised for its apprenticeship programme, as well as for the range of staff benefits and the concessions offered to all 49 employees on their own holidays.
The Sunday Times also said free healthy lunches are cooked in the Chorley office, while snack boxes are delivered to those working remotely.
The newspaper added: “Enhanced work-life balance policies for flexible working have been instituted.”
EasyJet holidays, which was recognised as being named employer of the year at Travel Weekly’s Globe Travel Awards 2025, has been acknowledged for its AccelerateHER programme to develop female talent.
It is also praised for its new Destinations graduate scheme and “state-of-the-art headquarters” offering dedicated quiet areas, prayer rooms and canteen.
Its family-friendly policies have been highlighted, as have its private healthcare for all staff and its employee assistance programme.
The citation for Holiday Extras states: “The 610 employees at travel company Holiday Extras, based in Hythe, Kent, make a real impact in an environment that allows everyone to thrive.
“Team members’ contributions are recognised through long service awards, and career development is encouraged through the mentoring programme.
“The company puts wellbeing, community and sustainability at its heart, and provides mental-health first aiders, a couch-to-5k club, and yoga provision.
“Benefits include eyecare vouchers, enhanced parental leave, and a bond scheme.”
The loveholidays citation reads: “This London online travel agent invests in the professional journeys of its 423 staff through on-the-job experience, training sessions and professional qualifications.
“Employees have individual learning budgets so they can choose what works for them and there are also programmes for managers and leaders to learn best practice and share their experience.
“Staff work three days a week in the office and can work from abroad or elsewhere in the UK for two weeks a year. Discounted holidays are part of the package.”
The Travelperk citation states: “A work-from-anywhere policy, allowing employees to base themselves abroad for up to 20 days a year, and a paid four-week sabbatical after five years’ service are perks of the job at this international business travel platform.
“With its headquarters in Barcelona, it has 364 UK employees across the Birmingham head office, Edinburgh and London. Everyone is enrolled in the stock programme, with high performers receiving stock top-ups, while other benefits include 12 free therapy sessions a year and a £1,000 annual travel bonus.”
The citation for The Turquoise Holiday Company states: “The sky’s the limit for workers at this family-run luxury travel company, which offers holidays to exotic destinations including the Cook Islands, Maldives and Seychelles.
“Last year 36 staff travelled to 22 countries to visit more than 200 hotels as part of its educational travel programme.
“Based in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, it employs 40 people (not including Monty, the office dog). Sales commission, birthdays off and membership of a local squash club are part of the package.”
