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In an industry bursting at the seams with awards bashes and sales trophies, TTG returns again with its annual alternative summer accolades, celebrating the funniest and most influential members of travel’s Twitterati. In alphabetical order, TTG brings you the 2017 Top 25 tweeters…
Stuart Wilson, chief executive, Blue Bay Travel Group
If, for some strangely cold-hearted reason, you are not a fan of woolly South American animals then steer well clear of Stuart’s Twitter profile, where his herd of Alpacas take a starring role.
Most likely to tweet about: #Alpacas #Alpacas #Alpacas
Sample tweet: During my lunch break @BlueBayTravel today I helped Astrid deliver her cria. 7.8kg female #alpaca good job I was home for lunch.
FOLLOWERS: 188 TWEETS: 1,297
Brian Young, managing director EMEA, G Adventures
Along with his crack-of-dawn commuting gripes, Brian can also be relied upon to document his time away from the office, with attention to detail worthy of a Sunday glossy. From sipping a beer in the garden to cute family outings and sport… lots of sport!
Most likely to tweet about: Weekend plans, rugby, train etiquette.
Sample tweet: What a difference getting up at 07.00 makes to 05.30. I actually feel human this morning on my train ha ha.
FOLLOWERS: 1,115 TWEETS: 6,561
Anonymous
Mysterious party gal and luxury travel expert Conference Kitti is a bearer of disguises, false nails and cutting wit. She’s on the travel party circuit somewhere near you, so watch your behaviour.
Most likely to tweet about: Animals (especially cats), industry events and travel agents.
Sample tweet: Dear Abta I broke a nail in Istanbul can I claim for the trauma?? #stopsicknessscams
FOLLOWERS: 5,218 TWEETS: 5,411
Derek Jones, chief executive UK, Der Touristik Group
Not one to shy away from the big issues, Degsy can always be relied on to give his two-penneth worth on the likes of Donald Trump, face painting and people who play loud music on trains – all served with a wry slice of Scouse charm.
Most likely to tweet about: Big political issues, small children, life’s idiots, travel issues.
Sample tweet: If you're going to play your dance music on the train at full volume through your cans PUT THEM ON YOUR EFFING EARS! #midlifemuppet
FOLLOWERS: 4,082 TWEETS: 12.9K
Erin Johnson, head of marketing, UK/Ireland, Silversea Cruises
Ships and what to wear on them are a large part of what you’ll glean from Erin’s tweets. Plus there’s an insight into a rigorous fitness regime to offset all that cruise food.
Most likely to tweet about: Ship visits and all things fashion.
Sample tweet: White jeans are out (because they now fit!) but I really shouldn't be allowed to wear them.
FOLLOWERS: 1,476 TWEETS: 13.6K
Graham Balmforth, national sales manager, Super Break
One of travel’s most genial statesmen, Graham’s gentle musings on Yorkshire and domestic travel in general make him the perfect ambassador for his brand. Imagine cricketer Geoffrey Boycott’s amenable son – who plays a ukulele.
Most likely to tweet about: How great the UK is and, er, train issues.
Sample tweet: Toilet door opened mid-flow on @Virgin_TrainsEC even though locked sign on... stopped mid-flow with terrific muscle control it has to be said.
FOLLOWERS: 1,075 TWEETS: 3,559
Giles Hawke, chief executive, Cosmos
When it comes to barbed conference bants, Giles can be as sharp as the talons belonging to his avian namesake. He also loves to share his latest outdoor pursuits.
Most likely to tweet about: Conference sessions, train frustrations… oh, and river cruising.
Sample tweet: Think I’m going to start carrying tissues on trains to hand out to people who are constantly sniffing and snorting!
FOLLOWERS: 1,828 TWEETS: 6,540
Cherie Richards, commercial director, The Global Travel Group
This consortium stalwart’s Twitter picture collection often looks like an exhibit at Madame Tussauds with a who’s who of celeb selfies. But Cherie always remembers the real stars in her life – Global members, who are the subject of 99.9% of her Twitter output.
Most likely to tweet about: Members’ successes, being a mum, celebs and of course Gary Barlow.
Sample tweet: Looking forward to seeing @rodstewart @shrewsweb this evening & I've got great seats for me and my mummy. Any chance of a #shoutout
FOLLOWERS: 1,565 TWEETS: 16.6K
Nick Harding-McKay, managing director, Travel Designers
Nick’s trips are well documented and make for some entertaining viewing but he seems most at home back in good ol’ Balham, tweeting the praises of his fellow Travel Designers and commenting (both positively and negatively) about suppliers.
Most likely to tweet about: Stimulating supplier evenings.
Sample tweet: Off to spread the #memoment love @traveldesigners after such an amazing trip to #corsica
FOLLOWERS: 576 TWEETS: 2,405
Helen Hays, social media manager, Gingerjuice
A north-eastern brew of social media top-tips, pun-tastic memes and the trials and tribulations of Sunderland AFC make Helen’s Twitter account one of the industry’s more eclectic platforms.
Most likely to tweet about: The weird workings of the web.
Sample tweet: I’m a little bit in love with the French waiter who said I was the perfect woman because I ordered a pint of lager and steak tartare.
FOLLOWERS: 705 TWEETS: 2,180
Murray Harrold, business travel agent
Twitter – and indeed travel – doesn’t have many Grumpy Old Men, but Murray flies the flag with pride. Anything that gets his goat is up for scorn, be it technology, millennials, legacy carriers, Trump and on occasion, even the trade press (but we know he loves us really, maybe).
Most likely to tweet about: How the world is (apparently) getting worse and worse.
Sample tweet: The UK – the nation that gave rail to the world and now, we cannot even build a feckin train to save our lives. Great.
FOLLOWERS: 1,674 TWEETS: 54.5K
Kathryn Beadle, UK managing director, Uniworld
From top moments in the cruise sector to current affairs – Beadle covers it all and never takes herself too seriously, although it seems, she holds a rare and special batch of vitriol for a certain train provider #Southernfail
Most likely to tweet about: Uniworld news and the trials of train commutes.
Sample tweet: Train cancellations resulting in heaving non-air conditioned trains. This is torture #southernfail
FOLLOWERS: 772 TWEETS: 2,099
Lindsay Garvey-Jones, national partnerships manager, Holiday Extras
With selfie skills to put even the Kardashians to shame, northern lass Lindsay can be relied upon to inject the fun factor into any 140-character snippet with her Twitter account, bedazzled with comedy poses, Snapchat filters and conference shenanigans.
Most likely to tweet about: Holiday Extras competitions, support of the LGBT community (and her unashamed love of Love Island).
Sample tweet: It's all going on tonight – can’t get enough of #LoveIsland #addicted #cantsleep until it’s finished.
FOLLOWERS: 3,178 TWEETS: 10.2K
Lisa McAuley, UK commercial director, Silversea
From the glitz of the Monaco Grand Prix to the sweeping vistas of the Galapagos Islands, Lisa sure does deliver the travel fomo in spades – usually with a glass of champers in hand to boot. Lisa also loves to hold airlines and train companies to account for shoddy service.
Most likely to tweet about: Stunning pics of her travels.
Sample tweet: Unforgettable week #Galapagos @Silversea pictures will never do it justice, but we take the memories with us...x
FOLLOWERS: 144 TWEETS: 256
Ashley Quint, agent, TravelTime World
Ashley is something of a one-stop-shop for aviation titbits and can always be relied upon to provide daily updates on new routes, aircraft delays and industry analysis, all fastidiously delivered while selling holidays.
Most likely to tweet about: Things with wings and where they fly.
Sample tweet: Have to say I was expecting more Canaries routes for the winter from easyJet – mainly ski/cities so far...
FOLLOWERS: 1,476 TWEETS: 16.2K
Martin Alcock, director, Travel Trade Consultancy
An alumnus of last year’s TTG Top Tweeters, Martin always finds a way to bring dense legal and financial wrangling to life for readers. Examples of his lateral thinking can not only be enjoyed online but in his TTG columns, which so far this year have included parables on what Love Island teaches us about sales and business.
Most likely to tweet about: Something dull, in an amusing way.
Sample tweet: What can Van Halen teach us about managing risk?
FOLLOWERS: 363 TWEETS: 1,128
Martin Maclaren, regional sales manager, Beachcomber Tours UK
Using social media very much for the power of good, Martin tirelessly spreads support for good causes around the industry including the work of the brilliant Aundrea’s Army team – raising cash and sending support to agent Aundrea Bannatyne who has been battling cancer.
Most likely to tweet about: Fundraising efforts.
Sample tweet: Today is Aundrea BIGGEST battle to date and we are ALL behind you beautiful.
FOLLOWERS: 239 TWEETS: 352
Nathan Cable, head of sales and marketing, Party Hard Travel
If you’ve ever been curious about Magaluf or are too timid to ‘av it large in Napa, then Nathan is your window into this wild world. This year – using his social media prowess – he’s even managed to get TTG managing director Dan Pearce onboard for an upcoming fam trip to Ibiza… party on, Nathan!
Most likely to tweet about: Raving not behaving.
Sample tweet: “Party Harders smashing it in Ayia Napa last night at UKG Night.”
FOLLOWERS: 210 TWEETS: 165
Nick Hughes, sales and marketing director, Attraction World
Travel’s very own Peaky Blinder definitely doesn’t share any of those characters’ nefarious sensibilities and makes it his mission to share the love and celebrate agent partners’ successes… as well as the odd death-defying act for charity.
Most likely to tweet about: Getting #Attractionpacked
Sample tweet: It's not a team building exercise, it's an @WeGiveUTheWorld company building exercise, collaborating to build a mosaic for #BuschGardens
FOLLOWERS: 2,319 TWEETS: 5,937
Richard Dixon, co-founder, Holidaysplease
This Midlands marathon man definitely mixes business with pleasure, offering his followers regular updates on staff smashing sales targets coupled with his own outdoorsy passions of cycling and long-distance running, oh, and a few pearls of wisdom from his better half.
Most likely to tweet about: The world according to Mrs D, running and cycling.
Sample tweet: Swallowed a week’s worth of protein on this morning’s ride out. Need to learn to cycle with my gob shut.
FOLLOWERS: 1,573 TWEETS: 12.3K
Richard Twynam, managing director, Azamara Club Cruises
Despite the hard-fought nature of the UK cruise scene, Azamara’s head honcho can always be relied upon to share bucketloads of love to other lines. Whether it’s the glitz of a new ship launch or a snap of beaming agents – Twynam – aka Retweet Rich – has a timeline full of the great and the good of cruise.
Most likely to tweet about: Cruise, some more cruise and extra cruise… did we mention cruise?
Sample tweet: Wow, amazing industry looks like cruise media spoilt for choice between @PrincessCruises @UniworldCruises and @Silversea over past 7 days!
FOLLOWERS: 726 TWEETS: 2,864
Sarah Archer, UK sales manager, Beachcomber Tours
Lady Archer is possibly the only travel industry bigwig to own a caravan. She’s also been busy organising (and documenting) the sterling work of the Travel Trade Crusade this year and LOVES a running commentary on Radio 4’s The Archers.
Most likely to tweet about: Touring japes.
Sample tweet: Listening to @BBCRadio4 #DesertIslandDiscs at @Cornbury, the poshest festival I’ve ever been to. Hey, I fit right in!
FOLLOWERS: 2,432 TWEETS: 16.7K
Martin Makepeace, owner, Ibiza Property Shop
Clearly feeling a tad put out with his omission from last year’s TTG Top Tweeters roll call, Martin most certainly did not make peace, and went on the offensive enlisting some celeb mates including cricketer Darren Gough and reality star Calum Best – to fight his corner. This former rep enters the list for the first time this year, backed up (naturally) by a steady stream of sunset selfies and super yachts.
Most likely to tweet about: ‘Avin it large on the White Isle.
Sample tweet: The big boys are in town. No point having a superyacht these days if it hasn’t got a chopper #Ibiza
FOLLOWERS: 7,966 TWEETS: 55.2K
Emma Savage, Travel Counsellor
Emma uses Twitter to tell us about the awesome itineraries she’s putting together for customers and to promote her client feedback and offers. A great example of how agents should use social media.
Most likely to tweet about: The fab itinerary she’s planning for you.
Sample tweet: “Hope you've had a great day. Mine was, because I heard from two different customers in resort & they’re both having a lovely time.”
FOLLOWERS: 2,989 TWEETS: 31.4K
Dom Carrick, head of partnerships, If Only
A fully paid-up member of the Travel Lads Club, Dom’s tweeting exploits give us an insight into his work-hard-play-harder style – with Travel Trade Crusade shenanigans and a Lions rugby odyssey among his recent adventures. Admirably though, the gentle giant always has time for his mum #respect.
Most likely to tweet about: Top-class rugby.
Sample tweet: Enjoyed another little trundle for the 2XV against the arch enemy Leamington. Always nice to stuff them too! Pride of South Warwickshire!
FOLLOWERS: 1,266 TWEETS: 6,628
Freethy, you may have retained your place on the list if you weren’t too busy tending to your garden to tweet.
It seems the pupil (@HelenDhays) has become more powerful than the master.
A very narrow miss for you this year cruise queen!
Your photo filter efforts nearly caused us to launch TTG Top Snapchatters.
Brush up on those video skillz #GifmeisterGarrido
Everyone else on Twitter – you’re all top in our eyes really.
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