By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –
PROFLIGHT Zambia has awarded the country’s leading travel agents  for their contribution to the airline and aviation industry in the country.
The company recognised eight leading travel agents and presented them with awards under different categories at an agency award ceremony in Lusaka.
Proflight Zambia managing director Tony Irwin said the travel agents include Voyagers Copperbelt and Lusaka, Discovery Travel, African Destinations, Satguru, Zambian Ground Handlers, Struts Travel and Juls Travel.
This is contained in a statement issued in Lusaka by Langmead & Baker Communications.
The award for the highest flown seats and highest flown revenue went to Voyagers Copperbelt with Voyagers Lusaka in the second position and Discovery Travel in the third position.
African Destinations was recognised as the most improved travel agent and Satguru were awarded for the highest sales for a new agency.
The highest flown domestic tourism seats went to Voyagers Lusaka with Zambian Ground Handlers in second position and Voyagers Copperbelt third.
The prize for the highest yield per seat went to Struts Travel while
Juls Travel and Zambian Ground Handlers scooped the second and third positions.
‘‘Ten years ago everybody was predicting the death of travel agents with the coming of online booking but the fact that we are awarding travel agents shows that is not true.
“The relationship with travel agents is important because the largest portion of our bookings is done by travel agents,” he said.
The event attracted different travel agents from around the country and stakeholders from the tourism industry.
Zambia Tourism Board (ZTB) managing director Felix Chaila,  said Proflight has been consistent in marketing and serving Zambia abroad and this has put the country on the world map.
“Now, there is good news because the market in Zambia is expanding with a growing middle class so, there is much more to expect from the market,” he said.