A WOMAN from Uttoxeter has emerged as a travel trade genius after winning an industry Mastermind competition.

Travel agent Claire Hunt, of Journeys a La Carte, in Uttoxeter, scooped the accolade from the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) after entering the competition for the first time.

During the competition, travel agents had to answer questions on a specialist subject, just like in the BBC television show with John Humphrys, then general knowledge questions on a travel theme.

Claire beat four other finalists to take the title at the AITO Specialist Travel Agents conference in Warwick last weekend.

She said: "It was set out exactly like the real show. There was a big leather chair and spotlights and a microphone right in front of me. I was very surprised I won. I did not expect to. The competition was intense.

"I did not tally my score, I just concentrated on answering the questions. I was excited and relieved when it was over."

AITO held its Mastermind 2009 competition in association with Online Travel Training in a bid to find the ultimate travel trade genius.

Claire, aged 29, spent four minutes in the hot seat in front of a 200-strong audience.

Her specialist subject knowledge – on AITO tour operator safari consultants – was built up during her 10 years in the industry.

Claire's final score of 18 put her two points ahead of her closest rival.

But she admitted it was her specialist subject that put her in front.

She said: "The general knowledge round was tough.

"All the questions were based on travel, but they asked questions like 'How tall is the Eiffel Tower?' - things that nobody would know the answer to."

Alongside her mastermind trophy, Claire scooped the top prize of a short stay in Majorca.

She can now enjoy an all-expenses-paid, four-day break in a small luxury hotel on the Spanish island with a guest of her choice.

She added: "I am not sure who I will take yet. I can choose when to go any time this year, so it is all a matter of availability really."

The former Thomas Alleynes High pupil discovered her passion for travel at school and went on to take a sandwich degree at Derby University studying travel and tourism.

She said: "I love the idea of travelling. There is such a variety of places and new hotels to discover. There is so much scope for freedom."

Margaret May, owner of the Market Place travel agent where Claire works, said: "We are really thrilled at Claire's win.

"Journeys a La Carte has continued to do well in spite of the recession and I feel that a major reason for our success is the knowledge and experience of the Journeys team."

Claire's win follows a successful 2009.

Journeys a La Carte was named Retail Team of The Year in the TTG Travel Awards.