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Sandra Corkin, founder and executive director, Oasis Travel

This special award is bestowed each year upon a member of the travel agency community who has led with passion and dedication, not only in their own business but also within the wider industry. In 2025, judges wanted to recognise Sandra Corkin, the founder and now executive director of Oasis Travel, who set up her first high street store in Lisburn more than four decades ago, and has since built an empire of eight thriving branches – the largest independent group in Northern Ireland.

An inspiring leader, Sandra has successfully steered the company through 40 years of changing trends and market challenges, and consistently goes above and beyond to do the very best by her team and her customers. She is also a prominent member of the travel trade, working tirelessly to represent and champion the retail sector, including a consortium board role, and to share her time and expertise for the greater good.

Sandra demonstrates incredible heart, whether undertaking an impressive physical challenge to raise money for charity, or welcoming suppliers with warmth and commitment, thereby building successful partnerships. All making it very difficult to imagine the Northern Irish travel trade without her!

On receiving the award, Sandra said: “It’s been an incredible journey, and it’s really hard to imagine that it has been 40 years. There’s been ups and downs, but I wouldn’t change a moment of it. I’ve loved every part of the industry, and I’ve loved to see how things have changed and improved.

“It’s just been like a dream come true for me, starting from humble beginnings with just a couple of staff. I’m incredibly proud, and I couldn’t have done it without an amazing team behind me: I feel so blessed over the years to have worked with people who are just as passionate about making the business a success as I have been, and I know that that’s a rare thing, so I just love them all. And we have great fun together. We work really hard, but we get on so well – and that’s a major part of business. It’s about the people.”

Earlier this year, Oasis Travel announced that Sandra’s son Scott McCabe would be stepping in as managing director while Sandra takes on a new role as executive director of the company, to enable her to do more of what she loves.

“Last year we celebrated our anniversary and I had time to reflect and think, what are we going to do for the next 40 years?” she explained. “It seemed an appropriate time for Scott to take more responsibility and for me to go back to doing what I love doing, and that’s getting more involved with the sales side of the business again, getting involved in the product, and working more closely with our team. But I’ll be working full time. I enjoy every day coming into work, and until that changes, I’ll be here!”