Frank Ford wins national travel agency award

FRANK Ford Travel has won the award for the Most Outstanding Leisure Travel Agency – Single Location at the National Travel Industry Awards.

The agency’s services aim to cover everything clients need from the time they leave home, to the time they get back, including 24/7 airport transfers and emergency assistance.

Owner/director of Frank Ford Travel Kylee Ellerton said her team of seven staff, including manager Cimonne Jayne Meager who came on board in 2024, were thrilled to be recognised.

“Without my staff, I wouldn’t have won this… and without our clients, there would be no Frank Ford,” she said

“All the girls have been with me for years. The fact that a little place in Ballarat could win against agencies from across Australia, I was chuffed.”

Ms Ellerton said what sets Frank Ford apart is their community focus.

“We’ve been in Ballarat for 50 years,” she said. “We do the little things; if a client is sick we will send them some flowers, we’ll go to bat for them if they have a problem with an airline, and there’s the 24/7 emergency assistance number.

“We try to do what the big agencies don’t do.”

For example, the agency has taken part in a local cancer support raffle, the fete at Pleasant Street Primary School, and backs local bowls clubs.

“Anything I can support locally, I do,” she said.

Frank Ford were joint winners with Sydney’s Planetdwellers and their award was sponsored by Expedia.

“Without sponsors like this, the award events wouldn’t happen,” Ms Ellerton said.