United Holidays Wins top UK award
Financial Times of the Sunday Times (November 2005)

From left - Afghar Mohideen, Ian Coghlan and Chaminda Dias

Saga Holidays, one of the largest tour operators in the UK, presented Sri Lanka's United Holidays company with its 'Outstanding Service' award for 2005 at a glittering awards Banquet held at Madam Tussauds in London recently.

Each year at the Saga Awards, an 'Outstanding Service' award goes to an individual or organisation chosen from 100s of hotels, inbound tour operators and other service providers Saga works with world-wide.

United Holidays said in a statement that it ensured that Saga customers were the very first British tourists to be returned to the UK, being flown out just hours after the Tsunami hit. This was due to the unstinted dedication of United Holidays staff who showed their professionalism by rallying to the cause despite it being a public holiday, efficiently evaluating the clients to safety and back to their homes the very same night.

Here are a few comments from people evacuated - 'Cannot praise highly enough the role played by Bradley, the Saga representative at the Tangerine Hotel and the remarkable job he did in ensuring the safety of the guests. Especially considering he came very close to being a casualty himself' - Harry Barron, Kirkby-in-Furness, Cumbria

"I know that your team on the ground comprises Sri Lankans and it must have been a difficult time personally for them, but I understand from my parents that they maintained a complete calm and reassuring atmosphere throughout. In particular, thanks to Fayaz who was their representative at the resort and also the Director of United Holidays and his colleague in Colombo," - Denise Harris, daughter of Derek and Joan Harris, London.

The award was presented by Ian Coghlan, Chief Executive of Saga's Travel Division to Afghar Mohideen, Chairman and Chaminda Dias, Executive Director of United Holidays.