Last year TTG provoked controversy in the trade with our definitive, 100% non-scientific, top list of the 25 tweeters in travel. One year on, we look at those still carrying the biggest influence in the travel Twitter world, and who else you should be following
@RogerAllard1 (new entry)
The executive chairman of All Leisure Group joined Twitter last month, shortly after revealing he would be running for the Abta chair. Likes retweeting. Still seems to be learning how it all works… “If I am elected Abta chairman I will simply do my utmost to get the best deal for all Abta members.”
19 tweets, 93 followers
@allanlambert (new entry)
Bourne Leisure’s head of retail sales. Big fan of tweeting and sport. And tweeting about sport. “Nice to be back in the saddle - so to speak! Nice run last night, followed by gym session tonight.”
2,504 tweets, 847 followers
@sophieclassic (new entry)
A self-professed Barbie lover, passionate about travel, Sophie Thackeray from Classic Collection is likely to be found tweeting from conferences. “PVC… passion, vision, commitment. You will be telling me next S and M is sales and marketing! #AITODXB”
203 tweets, 230 followers
Kuoni’s managing director Derek Jones remains a prolific tweeter, keeping his followers entertained with thoughts on issues from Question Time to the political situation in Egypt. “Insider tip: Check in early online. Select window seat, row 13. Middle seat will be empty if the flight’s not full. Works most times.”
4,951 tweets, 1,480 followers
@TravelGallivant (new entry)
Indie agent who took on Cook’s Harriet Green on Twitter, and won. Uses Twitter to bring attention to ongoing issues in the trade. “@harrietgreen1 please, please get someone to pick up phones at in-house trade relations or agency support. Trying 2 call since Thurs.”
206 tweets, 302 followers
@GemmaAntrobus (new entry)
Managing director of Haslemere Travel, a big supporter of independents, luxury and Aito. “Note to self! Do not watch Les Mis on a flight unless you don’t mind blubbing in front of a plane full of people! #rookyerror!”
906 tweets, 360 followers
@CaptGreybeard (new entry)
The Mirror’s cruising guru, AKA John Honeywell, knows pretty much everything there is to know about sailing the seven seas. “Never mind the Duchess of Cambridge or Natasha Bedingfield… I am briefly in shot at about 11:50 but you’ll never spot me #royalprincess”
13,375 tweets, 4,452 followers
Nick still enjoys tweeting @BruceMartin about being part of the ginger mafia. Also likely to be found tweeting from every travel conference ever invented. “With the right attitude, determination and application you can achieve anything you wish to Be true to yourself and #Believe”
2,387 tweets, 697 followers
McEwan is a lot more familiar with Twitter than last year, although still not entirely au fait with hashtags. Likes to retweet a lot. Sporting tweets still outweigh travel-related messages. “Can England get to 20 overs before the rain comes?”
5,137 tweets, 795 followers
@PaulLudlowUK (new entry)
UK director for Princess Cruises. Likes to tweet about Princess, Princess, Kate Middleton, and er, Princess. “It’s the small surprise moments that make the lasting impression #onlyatPrincess”
502 tweets, 541 followers
@DunlopPhoto (new entry)
Travel’s ubiquitous photographer. Frequently posts pics of industry events, with witty captions. “Just as well DuchessCambridge has fab ship to visit whilst builders in @Kensington Palace #royalPrincess #JustSaying”
2,790 tweets, 1,116 followers
Do you think you deserve to be on the list? Tell us at @ttg_digital, or use the hashtag #toptraveltweeters
The Travel Counsellors chairman’s unique take on travel industry news, and anything Travel Counsellors-related. “Astounded at misconceptions of how we work. Not about working at home but top agents relating. Agents rock. But decreasingly on high street.”
997 tweets, 691 followers
@micjuarez (new entry)
Excitable Italian head of comms for WTM. Tweets travel, all things WTM and the Italian football team. “Balotelli got his shirt off again but didn’t get a yellow card, ha!”
1,349 tweets, 522 followers
@harrietgreen1 (new entry)
Cook’s chief executive - likes to engage with angry customers and agents alike - worth tweeting if you have a gripe… or five. “@Childcareisfun @ThomasCookUK Glad to hear. Alastair was right - really want your insights to help us improve #noroomforcomplacency”
171 tweets, 1,467 followers
Passionate about indie agents, likes to post numerous images in between tweeting about Aito. “Shame some having to turn away from high st, great others able to reap rewards, still opportunity out there, just under the radar ;)”
361 tweets, 432 followers
Travel’s Mr Prolific has increased his Tweet output by 400% since last year’s list. Likes The Apprentice, rugby and Yorkshire. “I have just
set myself a Twitter objective to have 1,000 (relevant) followers by the end of the summer… now all I need is a plan?”
4,047 tweets, 895 followers
@LarryPimentel (new entry)
President of Azamara Club Cruises, likes to tweet advice about selling the luxury market and anything else luxury.”Take NOTHING for granted when engaging #affluent luxe clients. They wish to speak to knowledgeable people who inform rather than sell!”
379 tweets, 573 followers
@Sarahbeachcom (new entry)
Top Aito supporter and organiser of the Travel Trade Crusade, Lady Archer never misses an opportunity to remind her followers that there are #only8hotelsonmauritius. “Ted Wake says ‘silk georgette’ in a way I’ve never heard before! #aitodxb”
5,859 tweets, 631 followers
The Virgin boss describes himself as a “tie-loathing adventurer”. Branson likes to tweet about drug decriminalisation, conservation,
and everything else in between. “Brilliant #whale numbers are growing again, but we need to be vigilant that pressure isn’t put on to reverse this.”
3,615 tweets, 3m+ followers
@LeeHaslett (new entry)
One of TTG’s 30 Under 30, Virgin’s head of retail offers commentary on the state of the industry, as well as football matches. Also likes to retweet Daily Mail stories. “Looks like someone is following us again, a new travel store coming to a department store near you, well actually us!”
675 tweets, 383 followers
@Graham_ontravel (new entry)
The Crawley-based Travel Counsellor keeps his followers in the loop with the latest news, shares his customers’ enquiries - and talks weather. “Morning everyone. Today could be the hottest day of the year so far. Slap on the sunscreen! #shadeson”
7,249 tweets, 1,435 followers
@jlo_said
Advantage director, defensive of the high street and independent agents. Likes to tweet about general news, Question Time and Newsnight.
“The high st is so much more than just bricks ‘n’ mortar; service quality value exp, ability to service clients online too. Indies thriving!”
2,119 tweets, 543 followers
@HolidayExtras01 (new entry)
The best-dressed lady in travel, Lindsay Garvey-Jones is a relentlessly cheerful tweeter who loves putting up pics of her pooch. “Have a super sunny day everyone x”
4,021 tweets, 571 followers
@Hughsmorgan (new entry)
Monarch Travel Group managing director offers observations on life, with a particular interest in Abta and the political issues of travel. “Radio 4 Today lady arguing ‘speed doesn’t kill or cause accidents’ . TOSH of the first order, get a life lady whose name l missed.”
1,078 tweets, 623 followers
@hurrymurray
The grumpiest man in travel continues to entertain. Still doesn’t believe in 140 characters and still enjoys moaning. About everything. “Mega-cruiseships, now, have all the attributes of a 1950s Butlins holiday camp”
6,915 tweets, 1,345 followers
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