More than 50 agents from across the north-east visited Teesside International airport ahead of Balkan Holidays launching the second year of holiday flights next summer.
They were given a tour of facilities following a rebrand from Durham Tees Valley airport earlier this year.
The trade has contributed to a 17% year-on-year lift in sales for both Balkan Holidays and the airport, agents heard.
The operator is to run weekly charter flights to Bourgas in Bulgaria in summer 2020.
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “This is the second time we’ve welcomed travel agents to our airport, demonstrating the huge level of interest in our ambitious ten-year scheme to make the airport better than ever before.
“We’ve had fantastic feedback from these sessions, and they have been invaluable in turning the spotlight on the work we’ve done so far – from the rebrand to securing new routes such as Balkan Holidays’ brilliant flights.
“More and more people are learning of the huge scale and opportunities here, and we’ll continue to show businesses locally, nationally and internationally what we have to offer.”
Balkan Holidays’ regional sales manager Louise Newton added: “It was brilliant to see more than 50 local travel agents join us at Teesside International Airport last week.
“Many agents hadn’t had the airport tour before, and it was helpful to do that to show how convenient and comfortable it is.
“Dawson & Sanderson agency in Redcar went home with a £200-win, half as a marketing fund to promote Balkan Holidays from Teesside International airport, and half for a spa day at Seaham Hall.”