Luxury travel agency Winged Boots welcomed two stars from the latest series of the BBC’s Race Across the World to its Shenfield store as part of a wider events programme designed to strengthen relationships with existing and prospective clients.
In-laws Mark Blythen and Margo Oakley were guests of honour at an intimate evening attended by around 30 clients and local contacts. Guests heard behind-the-scenes stories from their journey and viewed photographs from the race during a Q&A hosted by Winged Boots Head of Brand and Partnerships Darren Shea.
The event came about through a longstanding friendship between Darren and Mark. The pair, who both live in north London, met 30 years ago, when Darren rented office space from Mark.
“I had no idea Mark was going on the show,” Darren said. “He kept it quiet for six months. I first knew about it when the contestants were announced on the BBC website.”
The event forms part of the agency’s ‘The Extra Mile’ programme, which includes hosting different experiences ranging from golf and shooting days to destination-themed tasting evenings and supporting local good causes.
Winged Boots hosts around six major events each year, attracting between 17 and 100 guests, alongside smaller gatherings. Invitees are selected from existing clients, prospective customers and local business contacts whose interests align with the luxury travel brand.
Darren said the focus is on creating memorable experiences rather than traditional sales events.
“We want people to have a great time and walk away feeling they’ve had an experience,” he said. “There is no pitching. It’s about building relationships and inspiring people. We just want people to have fun and remember a brilliant day.”
The guest list is carefully curated for every event. Darren said he works closely with the sales team to identify clients and local business contacts who would genuinely enjoy the experience and benefit from meeting one another. One recent attendee told Darren he’d generated £150,000 worth of business for his own company through connections made at a Winged Boots event.
“We’re asking people to take time out of their working day, so we make sure it’s worthwhile,” Darren added. “We spend a lot of time curating the experience and helping people make meaningful connections.”
The company also works closely with businesses in the local area, partnering with the deli next door, an upmarket estate agent and other organisations that share a similar customer base. Destination-focused evenings have included joining a South African wine tasting hosted by the deli, where guests also had to opportunity to speak to the Winged Boots team about travel options.
Darren said the events help demonstrate that luxury travel is about more than booking flights and hotels.
“You can talk about a destination, but we’re always looking at what other layers we can add to that experience,” he said. “Whether it’s food, wine, culture or meeting inspiring travellers, it’s about bringing destinations to life.”
The events have become an increasingly important part of Winged Boots’ client engagement programme since the luxury travel specialist – which launched 16 years ago as the online travel division of Ocean Holidays Ltd – opened its high street store in Shenfield last September.
Darren said the shop is ‘designed more like a lounge than a traditional travel agency’, with sofas instead of desks. Around 75% of business comes from repeat customers.
Despite wider economic uncertainty, Darren said demand for luxury travel remains strong, with growing interest in the US, Mexico, the Caribbean and Southern Europe.
“People still want to go away,” he said. “In the luxury market, clients are looking for the right holiday and the right experience, and that’s where we can add value.”
Pictured, from left: Winged Boots Retail Shop Manager Matt Clayden, Margo and Mark from RATW, Winged Boots Managing Director David Ox and Head of Brand and Partnerships Darren Shea
