EHQ Excellence Awards 2025: A Global Celebration of People and Impact

Jul 14, 2026

3 Minutes Read

Team members in a meeting room applaud colleagues joining by video call on a large wall-mounted screen.

EHQ, the European headquarters of JTB, brings together Kuoni Tumlare, Europamundo and City Circle into one connected organisation. The awards offered a powerful showcase of what that collaboration looks like in practice. At EHQ, recognition is more than a moment. It is a reflection of how people come together, solve challenges and create meaningful impact across a global organisation. This came to life at the EHQ Excellence Awards 2025, where more than 600 colleagues joined from across regions and time zones to celebrate achievement, connection and shared success.

A journey that reflects who we are

This year’s ceremony followed the theme “Around the World in 60 Minutes”, taking attendees on a dynamic, fast-paced journey, with each stop reflecting the spirit behind a different award category. Rather than focusing on geography, the experience brought to life the ideas that define success at EHQ, including ambition, innovation, leadership, transformation, inclusion and new beginnings. The result was a seamless narrative that connected recognition to the values that shape everyday work across the organisation.

Celebrating achievement across teams and individuals

Throughout the ceremony, a wide range of contributions were recognised, highlighting both collective success and individual impact. The Business Success Achievement Award celebrated teams that have delivered strong commercial results while opening up new opportunities for growth. The Innovation Award recognised bold ideas that challenge established thinking and create new possibilities for the future. The Role Model Awards shone a light on individuals who lead by example and consistently support those around them, strengthening the organisation through their everyday actions. The Business Transformation Award recognised initiatives that are rethinking how work is done, improving efficiency and creating lasting value. The DEIB Award focussed on the importance of inclusion, recognising initiatives that bring people together and turn different perspectives into collective strength. Meanwhile, the Super Fresher Awards celebrated new joiners who have embraced learning, taken initiative and made a meaningful contribution early in their journey. Across all of these categories, one message stood out clearly. Success at EHQ is defined not only by what is achieved, but by how it is achieved.

Real stories behind the recognition

Behind every award was a story of collaboration, resilience and determination. Teams demonstrated their ability to navigate complexity, adapt quickly and deliver results, often in challenging circumstances. In one example, a team successfully reopened a previously inactive market, finding new ways to rebuild trust and generate business where others had seen limitations. In another, sustained focus, strong partnerships and deep expertise transformed a traditionally seasonal destination into a year-round success, creating consistent growth and long-term value. These examples reflect the mindset that drives EHQ forward. There is a willingness to think differently, to collaborate across boundaries and to keep moving forward even when the path is not straightforward. Some of the winning initiatives will now go on to be recognised at JTB’s Global Business Unit awards in Japan, highlighting the international impact of their work and the global stage on which EHQ operates.

Leadership that connects and inspires

The final stages of the ceremony brought together some of the most impactful moments of the journey. The EHQ Grand Prize recognised a team whose work stood out across every dimension, delivering strong results while demonstrating collaboration, long-term thinking and consistent excellence. In addition, the Global Compass Award, presented on behalf of the Global Business Unit, recognised leadership that goes beyond execution. It highlighted the importance of connecting people, functions and markets, and the role that trust, clarity and a powerful sense of purpose play in driving meaningful progress. Together, these moments reinforced a simple but powerful message. Leadership at EHQ is not just about direction, it is about bringing others along on the journey.

More than an event

What made the Excellence Awards truly stand out was not just the recognition itself, but the sense of shared experience. Colleagues from across the organisation came together to celebrate one another, reflect on achievements and show support in real time. The energy of that collective participation transformed the ceremony into something more than an event. It became a moment of connection across the organisation.

A culture where recognition matters

At EHQ, recognition is part of how the organisation grows and evolves. By celebrating achievements, the organisation reinforces the behaviours that matter most, including collaboration, initiative, accountability and respect. It also creates an environment where people feel seen, valued and motivated to contribute at their best. At EHQ, the Excellence Awards offer a genuine insight into the culture. It is a place where people work across borders, learn from one another and are recognised for the impact they make. Recognition is a core part of how the organisation grows and evolves. It is built into the way teams work, how people are supported and how success is defined across the business. Ultimately, it is the people behind the work who shape the journey, and at EHQ, every contribution has the potential to move that journey forward.

Be part of the journey

The Excellence Awards are one moment in a much longer story. At EHQ, recognition is not a one-off event, it is built into how people work, support one another and define success every day. That same culture is what shapes a career here: a place where your contribution is seen, valued and celebrated. If that is the kind of team you want to grow with, explore what a career with our global team looks like.