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Travel is a social industry, but much of that day-to-day chatter has moved online. So TTG is once again celebrating our travel Twitterati. Here, in alphabetical order, are TTG’s top 25 tweeters of 2018.
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Andy Freeth, chief executive, If Only
Andy was one of our “special shout-outs” last year during his transition from Gold Medal and Travel 2 to If Only. Back with a vengeance in 2018, Andy’s stopped messing around in his garden and has been getting his “big, massive Mr Potato head” (an If Only colleague’s words, not ours!) in plenty of selfies from his travels between Glasgow and his native Yorkshire.
Most likely to tweet about: Yorkshire, Scotland, his colleagues’ dress sense, his massive garden
Sample tweet: “What is it when you yawn, or even just open your mouth, and a jet of spit squirts out all by itself?”
FOLLOWERS: 3,105 | TWEETS: 11,819
Bradley Escorcio, product manager, Thomas Cook
We won’t lie, Bradley’s been on our radar for some time – a TTG 30 Under 30 member and newly crowned TTG Travel Pride Champion, Bradley seems to be one of the hardest working and most dedicated young people in travel right now. He also loves cake. Like a lot. Like REALLY a lot.
Most likely to tweet about: LGBT, equality, Pride, cake, snacks, theatre
Sample tweet: “I know I’m LITERALLY the last person to join the party but I’ve finally seen @GreatestShowman and my heart is in such a warm, fuzzy place right now!”
FOLLOWERS: 1,383 | TWEETS: 7,767
Graeme Brett, director, Westoe Travel
Graeme has to be one of the most likeable agency bosses in travel. We can’t even begin to imagine what he and the team went through when their apprentice Chloe Rutherford was killed in the Manchester Arena attack, but their efforts to promote the charity set up in her and her partner Liam’s name (@chloeandliam24t) has been heartwarming.
Most likely to tweet about: His charity efforts
Sample tweet: “Is this the way to Amarillo?? #TonyChristie at
@thecustomshouse #SouthShields”
FOLLOWERS: 185 | TWEETS: 767
Bruce Poon Tip, founder, G Adventures
Sorry, Brian [Young, G Adventures managing director EMEA and perennial top tweeter], enter G Adventures’ head honcho Bruce instead, overlooked in the past (our apologies!). Bruce’s Twitter feed is a distillation of all G Adventures stands for, plus some timely Trump barbs.
Most likely to tweet about: Sustainable travel, environmental issues, Donald Trump
Sample tweet: “Reporter: ‘What keeps you up at night?’ Me: ‘Cheese.’ Reporter: ‘I mean in business.’ Me: ‘When I eat cheese it’s serious business.’ Silence – pause – next question”
FOLLOWERS: 31,062 | TWEETS: 15,090
Carly Charteris, national sales manager, Premier Holidays
Some strong Twitter game here. In fact, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better ratio of original tweets and pics, retweets and quotes covering both work and home life (we do like our top Tweeters to be human beings too).
Most likely to tweet about: Life on the road, gin
Sample tweet: “Still no #ginandtonic #emoji #WorldEmojiDay2018???? Surely today is the perfect day to satisfy the #Ginthusiasts of the #emoji world?”
FOLLOWERS: 1,178 | TWEETS: 4,508
Anonymous
Travel’s most mysterious tweeter (kind of) has been on top of her Twitter game over the past 12 months. Her great gifs, scything wit and blunt takes on everything from travel issues to everyday life (see below) are as sharp-clawed now as they were 12 months ago. Miaow!
Most likely to tweet about: Naughty things, cats, why agents are GREAT
Sample tweet: “I’ve just been to Savers & got some make-up remover, a bottle of coconut water & some Tampax. The man serving me said, ‘Oh, what’s the occasion?’ Surely can’t just be me that thinks this is odd!”
FOLLOWERS: 5,223 | TWEETS: 7,050
Derek Jones, chief executive, Der Touristik UK (Kuoni)
Derek’s Twitter game is possibly even more on point than it was last year. From his enthusiasm for Kuoni’s new Dorking headquarters to his worldly – and pithy – titbits, expect Trump-bashing, expect the unexpected, and expect it to be funny. He also recently used the word “hashtagification”. TTG was unable to verify whether this was a coinage…
Most likely to tweet about: Kuoni, Dorking, Trump, cute pics of his kids
Sample tweet: [On Trump mis-speaking] “To be fair, I once said the word cucumber when I meant to say hippopotamus”
FOLLOWERS: 4,363 | TWEETS: 14,121
Kylie Bawden, associate vice-president, Brighter Group
A one-woman whirlwind, Kylie juggles her travel PR day job with social media consultancy and travel blogging. She can be found musing on travel, health, exercise, fashion and style. Note: Has recently tweeted about sex robots.
Most likely to tweet about: Boats, her cat (Nigel), gin, Instagram and being badass
Sample tweet: “I tried to go clothes shopping for Ibiza yesterday but everything is side-boob, under-boob or cropped! Why?!”
FOLLOWERS: 1,875 | TWEETS: 23,503
Daniel Gathercole, managing director, First Class Holidays
Daniel only arrived in travel in March, but his feed is an eye-catching celebration of First Class Holidays’ evolution, its staff’s efforts (especially those of agent sales team members Jonathan Whiteley and Katie Daniels) and his attempts to get to grips with a new industry. And football memes.
Most likely to tweet about: Leeds United, New Zealand, Canada, the North, #FirstClassFridays
Sample tweet: “Where have they got this lot from?! #LoveIsland2018”
FOLLOWERS: 2,472 | TWEETS: 4,312
Cherie Richards, commercial director, Global Travel Group
Has to be among the nicest people in travel. If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, Cherie will have a tweet for you.
Most likely to tweet about: Sport, Global, sun, sand and sea, a cheeky drink or two
Sample tweet: “Literally in tears watching @GarethSouthgate go around all his team. What a legend he is. Youngest team in the World Cup. Plenty more to see from these @England lads for sure! Well played, lads!”
FOLLOWERS: 1,827 | TWEETS: 19,179
Helen Hays, social media manager, Ginger Juice
Retaining her spot on the list, Helen often leaves us in stitches with her witty observations about the ridiculousness of humans and rants about poor online marketing. Her account is a breath of fresh air.
Most likely to tweet about: Sport, data and insights banter, things that irk her.
Sample tweet: “I’m surprised Jamie Oliver hasn’t kicked off about GDPR – the amount of people accepting cookies has gone through the roof.”
FOLLOWERS: 2,757 | TWEETS: 13,033
Justin Francis, founder and chief executive, Responsible Travel
Never shy of speaking his mind on politics, environmental issues and Brexit, Justin has been at the forefront of responsible travel for the best part of two decades. Besides updates on this, expect interesting ditties and retweets.
Most likely to tweet about: Responsible travel and all of its facets
Sample tweet: “For the tourism industry Brexit is already real, we are booking beyond March 29. “No deal” concerns are likely to affect confidence”
FOLLOWERS: 2,936 | TWEETS: 6,250
Lisa McAuley, managing director, Gold Medal and Travel 2
What a year it’s been for Lisa after taking the top seat at Gold Medal and Travel 2. It’s certainly not stopped her getting out and about, seeing the UK and the world, and also finding time to give us a welcome insight into the life of one of the biggest names in the travel trade.
Most likely to tweet about: Her travels, trips and travails
Sample tweet: “Officially exhausted... #shoppingwithateenager”
FOLLOWERS: 389 | TWEETS: 853
Ashley Quint, travel consultant, Travel Time World
Undoubtedly one of travel’s busiest tweeters, Ashley has a knack for teasing out the underlying trends from all the latest aviation announcements. And amid all the news stories he shares, there are a fair number of entertaining tweets. Knows a thing or two about luxury travel and aviation too.
Most likely to tweet about: Planes, cats, cows, more planes
Sample tweet: “Southampton to Newark... Think they’re having a laugh!”
FOLLOWERS: 1,610 | TWEETS: 21,500
Mark Beattie, travel specialist, Off Broadway Travel
A new entrant to the list, Mark loves telling it like it is and sharing his scathing observations about (others’) sporting prowess. Also loves a personal sporting challenge, to be fair.
Most likely to tweet about: Annoyances, travel, sport
Sample tweet: “It’s far too early to be listening to the team of @GMB all shout at the top of their voices at the same time... what’s the topic of convo again? #GMB #BREAKFAST”
FOLLOWERS: 270 | TWEETS: 2,948
Mark Duguid, managing director, Carrier
When he’s not out running or tweeting from the Med, Mark offers moments of great clarity on travel matters. Note: his mother made it into TTG’s Friends and Followers section recently (courtesy of a tweet!).
Most likely to tweet about: Running, the Med, Carrier, his mum
Sample tweet: “Me: ‘Gutted, I’m 9 seconds off my PB.’ Mum: ‘Well, maybe that’s the best you can do.’ Do you think Mo Farah’s mum gave him such encouragement!? @HovePromparkrun”
FOLLOWERS: 327 | TWEETS: 326
Neil Sealy, head of trade sales, Exsus Travel
Still giddy from his move to Exsus Travel, Neil’s twitterings are enthusiastic as hell. He’s a luxury expert and it’s fun to follow his travels. Note: like Kylie Bawden, he’s also tweeted about sex robots recently.
Most likely to tweet about: Conferences, train chaos, his kids, selfies
Sample tweet: “Just bought some underwear for my 13-year-old son. He wears men’s size small now rather than kids’ sizes, and I felt the need to explain to the lady at the till that they were for my son, not for me...”
FOLLOWERS: 945 | TWEETS: 998
Richard Dixon, co-founder and director, Holidaysplease
Keeping his spot, Richard’s mix of travel twitterings, managerial musings and polite jibes at BA now carry the weight of his being a TTG Top 50 Travel Agencies winner for another year. His quest to be a better boss is laudable too.
Most likely to tweet about: Management, travel trends, running, cycling
Sample tweet: “A heady mix of Belgian beer, hot sun and Frankie Goes to Hollywood on the radio can do strange things to a fella #fact”
FOLLOWERS: 1,680 | TWEETS: 13,033
Rob Debenham, show manager, Destinations Show
Despite being the “Grand Poobah” of the Destinations Holiday and Travel Show, it wouldn’t be surprising to find Rob delivering a rousing speech to a top sports team. If it’s played on grass by sweaty men, Rob knows his stuff. Loves having a go about trains too.
Most likely to tweet about: Sport and how irritating he finds Love Island
Sample tweet: “Once again no air con on Charing Cross to Sidcup trains! The 20:48 is boiling hot @Se_Railway inhumane conditions to travel in…”
FOLLOWERS: 642 | TWEETS: 6,106
Sarah Archer, UK sales manager, Beachcomber Tours
When she’s not enthusing about Mauritius, Sarah’s feed is a furious melange of selfies, sea, sunshine and caravans. Plus, there are few better barometers of industry thinking (GDP-AARRRGGHHHH!).
Most likely to tweet about: The Archers, travel agents, caravans, TTG cruise reporter Tom “Cruise” Parry
Sample tweet: “I know All-Bran is healthy but it is exhausting to eat. PS Appalled by how many ‘chewing with your mouth open’ gifs there are”
FOLLOWERS: 2,702 | TWEETS: 18,289
Shane Riley, director of UK and international sales, Virgin Voyages
Shane’s got his work cut out to convince agents to get onboard with Virgin Voyages, but his passion and enthusiasm know no bounds.
Most likely to tweet about: Family, Virgin Voyages, cruise, Richard Branson
Sample tweet: “‘Isn’t all this rain refreshing and makes a nice change…’ – You OK, hun? We live in the UK. We have approximately 2 months until hibernation. #LetSummerResume”
FOLLOWERS: 308 | TWEETS: 194
Mark Swords, managing director, Swords Travel
One half of Swords Travel (Mark’s husband Stuart @stuiemitch is a great follow too), Mark’s feed is a joyous, Technicolor celebration of travel (sometimes literally – check out that flowery shirt in his profile!). We love Mark’s enthusiasm for his business, community and industry.
Most likely to tweet about: Equality, LGBT, Gemma Collins gifs and memes
Sample tweet: “Wishing all our travel friends an amazing night and the best of luck at the #TTGTOP50! Win or lose, get drunk and enjoy”
FOLLOWERS: 642 | TWEETS: 1,400
Dom Carrick, head of sales, south, If Only
Spending much of life on the road, Dom can be relied upon to fill you in on the goings-on of small towns up and down the country. Always at an awards do.
Most likely to tweet about: Idiots, the weather, his industry legend mum
Sample tweet: “Finally made it onboard Concorde. My parents were the first to privately charter it for clients to have a supersonic lunch over the Bay of Biscay from @bhx_official in March 1982”
FOLLOWERS: 1,438 | TWEETS: 7,239
Lisa Henning, group membership services director, The Travel Network Group
Lisa makes what seems to be 100 tasks on her plate look a breeze, and tweets about what she’s up to 24/7. You’ll learn about every TTNG member in no time.
Most likely to tweet about: Everything The Travel Network Group
Sample tweet: “Don’t cross oceans for those who wouldn’t jump a puddle for you... We know our @TheTNG @TTNG_Membership team would swim oceans for our members #FridayFeeling #FridayMotivation”
FOLLOWERS: 1,001 | TWEETS: 6,446
David Winterton, global brand manager, Emerald Waterways
Few can match David for devotion to his employer. If you’re ever behind on anything Emerald, a skim through his feed will have you clued up. He’s a proud adopted Manc, too, so expect lots about “the capital of the north”.
Most likely to tweet about: Cruise, Emerald, Manchester, beach pics
Sample tweet: “4-hour flight with @jet2tweets, at least 25 plays of Hold My Hand by @JessGlynne, talk about overkill – every ruddy announcement?”
FOLLOWERS: 1,578 | TWEETS: 3,955
