JTA Travel ambassador and former Senior Sales Manager Diane Court has died, just 11 months after she retired following 50 years in the travel industry.
Former colleagues said they were ‘in shock’ and ‘devastated’ by the news of her passing, at the age of 71.
She was diagnosed with lung cancer in August, shortly after returning from a long trip to Australia to see her daughter.
Discover the World Sales Manager UK and Ireland Zoe Holt, who used to work with Di at JTA, said: “I am going to miss her so, so much. Diane was a beautiful, elegant and dignified lady who was always there to help everyone and had a massive heart.”
Maria Hedley of Maria’s Global Getaways, who knew her from JTA Travel, said: “I am in shock, to be honest. She was such a lovely lady and so excited about finally retiring.”
She added: “She was always so full of life and friendly. She really stood out and was just one of the supplier reps that was always a pleasure to go and see, even if there was nothing new to find out from JTA.”
Gillian Polyhos, founder of Oliver Lounge Travel Crosshills, who knew Di from conferences and events, said she was ‘an incredible, warm-hearted lady’ and ‘everyone’s friend, no matter how long you had known her for’.
Describing her as ‘Aunty Di’, The Travel Shop Director Simon Oram said she used to work with his parents at Horizon Travel. “She has known me since I was very young. She was a wonderful woman who will be greatly missed.”
Di enjoyed a varied career in the travel industry, which she joined in the 1970s, starting at Horizon Midlands.
Prior to joining JTA Travel as a Senior Sales Manager in 2018, she had worked as a Key Account Manager for both Gold Medal and Virgin Holidays, as Sales and Recruitment Manager for Freedom Travel Group and Head of Sales at Destinology.
She joined JTA from USAirtours, where she was National Sales Manager, based in the Midlands.
JTA Travel described Diane as ‘much more than a respected professional within the travel industry, she was a warm, generous, and inspiring presence to everyone who had the privilege of working alongside her’.
In a statement, it added: “Over the years, she touched countless lives with her kindness, humour, and unwavering passion for the people and places that make travel such a special business to be part of.
“Those who knew Diane will remember her for her integrity, her energy, her glamour, her infectious smile, and her ability to bring light to even the busiest of days. She was a true friend to so many of us, someone who always had time to listen, to support, and to celebrate the successes of others.
“Her loss will be deeply felt across the industry, but her legacy of friendship, professionalism, and genuine care, will live on through the many people and partnerships she helped shape.
“From all of our team, we have not just lost a valued colleague, but a great friend. Diane was a constant source of encouragement and laughter, and we will always be grateful for the times we shared, both professionally and personally.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to Andrew, Diane’s devoted husband, her daughter Lisa her family, friends, and all those who had the pleasure of knowing her. She will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.”
