Peter Sommer Travels, a family-run specialist company based in Monmouth, has been named Tour Operator of the Year at AITO’s 50th Anniversary Awards this month.

The evening brought together a wide range of AITO’s specialist tour operators and specialist travel agents, business partners and tourist boards to recognise excellence across the independent travel sector.

The company was established by Peter Sommer, an archaeologist and former TV documentary producer/director, in 2002. His passion for travel began in 1994, when he walked 2,000 miles across Turkey, from Troy, retracing the route of Alexander the Great, before launching his first tours and ultimately founding the business.

He and his wife Elin offer expert-led, small-group tours of 10 to 18 guests, including both cultural land journeys and gulet cruises and has been nine times voted by its clients as AITO’s Tour Operator of the Year between 2015 and 2025

Commenting on the award, Peter Sommer says: “I speak for everyone in our team when I say that we are absolutely delighted to receive this recognition from AITO, especially in its 50th anniversary year. Our aim has always been to offer expertly-crafted, small-group tours that exceed expectations and enrich people’s lives.”

Peter Sommer Travels received the Platinum award, a new category, and the highest given. This adds to their existing tally of four Silver and four Gold Tour Operator of the Year awards. The awards are based on the highest scoring independent client feedback on AITO's website.

Peter Sommer Travels will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2027.