Tributes paid to Yorkshire-based travel agency owner Gill Jackson

Tributes have been paid to East Yorkshire-based travel agency owner Gill Jackson, who passed away on January 19 after a battle with illness.

 

Jackson’s career in the travel industry spanned more than 40 years. She founded her own agency, Embarque Travel in Pocklington, in 2012, initially working from home before relocating to an office and, later, a retail shop in the town, where the business “continued to grow and prosper”.

 

The agency specialises in luxury travel and works closely with suppliers including Rainbow Tours, African Pride, Anzcro and Travel Gallery.

 

Jackson was one of Lusso’s key agent partners. The operator’s sales director Gareth Hulmston said: “Throughout her career, Gill was extremely popular with her colleagues, travel agents and fellow tour operators – always extremely hard working and proud of all her agents along with her own achievements.

 

“Gill will always be remembered for all the joy that she brought into her family. She was a wonderful person in many ways.”

 

Prior to starting Embarque Travel, Jackson worked for luxury operator Carrier between 2003 and 2012 as a sales executive, covering the east of the UK.

 

She also spent 13 years with York-based specialist operator Southern Africa Travel, where she rose the ranks from reservations manager to area sales manager.

 

Rick Milne, Carrier sales and commercial director, said: “Gill was a valued member of the Carrier team for over eight years, working as part of our agency sales team. She was a brilliant account manager, and extremely supportive of the travel agents in her region.

 

“She built some incredible relationships with staff and agents alike, and will be fondly remembered for her dedication, professionalism, and passion for travel, particularly African safaris. It’s a very sad day for the travel industry; our hearts go out to her family.”

 

Jo Hilton-Blackman, brand ambassador at Elite Travel Concierge, who worked with Jackson at Southern Africa Travel, added: “Gill valued all of her friends immensely and many of those were in the travel industry. Thank you to all of you that knew Gill as a friend.”

 

Stephen Craig, aviation manager at Anzcro, described Jackson as a “very special, fun-loving person”.

 

He said: “Her dedication to looking after her customers was second to none. She succeeded in opening her own agency and always went above and beyond to please her clients. Nothing was too much trouble for her and her knowledge and expertise gained her loyal clients.

 

"She was a great supporter of Anzcro and a huge favourite amongst our team. She will be a huge loss to the travel industry where she made a lasting impression and always lit up a room with her infectious smile and genuine happiness.”

 

Travel Gallery managing director Farzana Dobbs spoke of Jackson’s “joie de vivre”.

 

“Gill and I met 20 years ago at ILTM,” she said. “We shared a passion for travel, and I always admired her attention to detail and her amazing ability to give us such precise client profiles, so together we could curate some lovely trips for her clients. 

 

“Our thoughts are with her family and friends (and she has many in the industry). We will miss her joie de vivre.”

 

David Holland, director at African Pride UK and Knighton Reeve, said the industry had “lost a friend”.

 

He said: “Many of the team at African Pride have known and worked with Gill from her time at Southern Africa Travel and in recent years as Embarque Travel. She had such a positive, vibrant personality and her drive and professionalism were greatly admired.

 

“She will be missed hugely by us all at African Pride. Not only has travel lost one of its true professionals, we have all lost a friend.”