Who's made the #TTGSocialSquad 2019?

Juliet Kinsman, founder, Bouteco

Juliet was founding editor of Mr & Mrs Smith and now runs Bouteco, which offers sustainable luxury travel tips and champions design-led hotels going above and beyond. Often ‘gramming from far-flung lands, Juliet's sure to inspire you with her no-nonsense views.

Most likely to post about: Sustainability, West London, great hotel design.

@julietkinsman

FOLLOWERS: 12K | POSTS: 5,082

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Must Be The Mummy, PR to a well-known cruise line

Admittedly more likely to be found tweeting about social (in)justice than travel, this “PR person married to a journo” is well worth a follow for her views on the news, diversity and inclusion (and occasional travel item).

Most likely to post about: Inequality, her annoyance at the government, ships.

@MustBeTheMummy

FOLLOWERS: 420 | TWEETS: 790

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Mary McKenna, managing director, Tour America & Cruise Holidays

An outspoken business owner, Mary's latest crusade has been against the “ridiculous” claims culture in Ireland which she took to LinkedIn to air her views on before penning a column for TTG.

Most likely to post about: The business community, cycling, her son.

Mary McKenna

CONNECTIONS: 500+

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Neil J Sealy, head of trade sales, Exsus Travel

Industry stalwart Neil (formerly of If Only) enjoys updating his Facebook friends on his learnings from here, there and everywhere, be it from a luxury holiday with his family (including his cabin crew wife Margaret) or an agent training event at The Ivy.

Most likely to post about: Destinations, Exsus, travel agents, funny pictures.

/neil.sealy

FRIENDS: 1,014

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Richard Singer, chief executive, icelolly.com

Travel deals aficionado Richard – formerly of Travelzoo – is a regular tweeter, sharing everything from the latest tech news to his views on the PM and Sports Direct chief executive Mike Ashley.

Most likely to post about: Cycling, family time, Icelolly, politics.

@rsinger79

FOLLOWERS: 1,354 | TWEETS: 2,802

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Kate McCue, captain, Celebrity Cruises

Giving us a cheerful insight into the life of a cruise ship captain, Kate posts pics from onboard around the world, often featuring her maritime feline companion, BugNaked (who herself boasts 27k followers on Instagram).

Most likely to post about: Funny snaps of her and her crew, Bug looking displeased, ship life.

@captainkatemccue

FOLLOWERS: 81.8k | POSTS: 1,944

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Bruce Martin, founder, Ginger Juice & co-founder of Travel Gossip

Travel's hotshot social media guru can usually be found on a train en route to one of a seemingly endless number of travel events and training sessions, making sure we all know the difference between @s and our #s. Plus, he co-founded Travel Gossip. If that's not reason enough for a follow, we don't know what is.

Most likely to post about: Social media, trains, Chelsea FC, the North, fairer politics.

@BruceMartin

FOLLOWERS: 5,021 | TWEETS: 19.9k

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Derek Jones, chief executive, Der Touristik UK (Kuoni)

Derek (Degsy) can always be relied upon to pop up during your morning Twitter scroll with observations on something funny or political, or both. Expect incredulity. Derek also shares insightful blog posts including his excellent TTG columns - check out his LinkedIn page for more.

Most likely to post about: The state of British (and American) politics, pride in his staff, feedback on travel news, warm and fuzzy vids.

@Degsy_DJ

FOLLOWERS: 4,565 | TWEETS: 15.9k

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Kate Holroyd, owner, Strawberry Holidays

Kate seems to be using Facebook as a great sales platform, updating her followers (more than 1,500 of them) on her travels and releasing regular vlogs (video blogs) on topics from "there's a cruise line for everyone" to top tips on "surviving a multigenerational holiday".

Most likely to post about: Personal holidays, #TravelTalk videos, great offers.

@StrawberryHolidays

LIKES: 1.5k

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Justin Francis, chief executive, Responsible Tourism

In a year when young climate change activists such as Greta Thunberg and protest movements including Extinction Rebellion have commanded the news agenda, Responsible Travel's message has never been more relevant. Follow Francis for his insightful, passionate commentary on the travel sector's efforts to wrestle with environmental challenge.

Most likely to post about: Climate change, responsible tourism.

@justinmfrancis

FOLLOWERS: 3,359 | TWEETS: 6,929

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Lindsay Garvey-Jones, national partnerships manager, Holiday Extras

Arguably travel's most energetic woman, LGJ is prolific across all social media. Regularly seen passionately chatting away about Holiday Extras in video posts, you can't help but smile at her wacky ways and enthusiasm for agents.

Most likely to post about: Selfies from the road, pics of her family and home, Holiday Extras

@lgjhx

FOLLOWERS: 730 | POSTS: 273

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Dom Carrick, head of sales south, If Only

An industry legend these days - he's just marked 10 years at If Only - Dom is one of those indefatigable travel people who's Twitter feed will make you feel tired just looking at it, and hungry! Expect early morning train platforms and sassy banter.

Most likely to post about: Pictures of pints and delicious food items, and pictures of his lovely mum.

@domcarrick

FOLLOWERS: 1,656 | TWEETS: 7,935

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Richard Dixon, director, Holidaysplease

One of the nicest chaps in travel, Richard can often be found tweeting about his wife and his pride in his Birmingham-based Holidaysplease team. He’s also not afraid to give his two pennies’ worth on hot issues affecting the industry either.

Most likely to post about: Aston Villa, running (knobbly knees and all), Mrs D and updates on sales.

@RichardDixon66

FOLLOWERS: 1,740 | TWEETS: 13.6K

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Sarah Bolton, Travel Counsellor

Experienced agent Sarah is full of the Twitter banter. She intersperses some lovely photography and industry updates – including her own self-made videos from fam trips to help inspire clients and prospective clients – with lots of cat pictures and videos… what’s not to love?

Most likely to post about: Inspiring destinations, cats, Brexit.

@TCsarahbolton

FOLLOWERS: 454 | TWEETS: 2,054

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Anonymous (sort of…)

Sassy as ever, Conference Kittie can be relied upon to say it like it is on Twitter, giving her take on everything from the current political climate to TV shows. Expect lots of rude subject matter.

Most likely to post about: Cats, conferences, TV, “pricks”, Crazy Bear Group.

@conferencekitti

FOLLOWERS: 4,873 | TWEETS: 7,201

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Bruce Poon Tip, founder, G Adventures

A fierce proponent of responsible travel and good service, Bruce will often take to Twitter to air his views on the news and share the latest from G’s Canada HQ. He travels extensively and likes to update his followers on his experiences. His Instagram is worth a look too.

Most likely to post about: Politics, family, G.

@brucepoontip

FOLLOWERS: 30.8K | TWEETS: 15.3K

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Mark Duguid, managing director, Carrier

Runner and social justice warrior Duguid, who somehow also finds time to run Carrier, is deeply passionate about the good travel can do throughout society. Look out for his engagement with partners, charities and other thought leaders on topics ranging from diversity and inclusion to beach cleans.

Most likely to post about: Brighton, running, partnerships.

@markduguid

FOLLOWERS: 490 | TWEETS: 826

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Chris Wright, managing director, Sunvil

Sunvil’s boss is a fierce advocate for social equality, particularly LGBT+ issues. Chris’s frequently hilarious and often personal takes on the interplay between travel and 21st-century life are not to be missed. Look out for his incredible fancy dress costumes, most notably during his recent Travel Trade Crusade escapades.

Most likely to post about: Social justice, airports, politics, Greece and Cyprus.

@ChrisStosWright

FOLLOWERS: 879 | TWEETS: 1,926

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Vishal Patel, sales and marketing director, Travelpack

He may not shout the loudest, but Travelpack’s Vishal Patel has quietly turned his Facebook account into a formidable sales tool. He’s often lauded on Travel Gossip for helping agents out with tricky enquiries and responds to messages extraordinarily fast.

Most likely to post about: Travelpack updates, cute pics of his kids, sports.

/vishal.patel

FRIENDS: 1,755

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Rhys Griffiths, partner, Fox Williams

Formerly of law firm Fieldfisher, Rhys can be relied upon to post opinion pieces on subjects travel folk really need to know about: package travel regulations, Atol etc. He also manages to unpick tricky topics and present them in a digestible way.

Most likely to post about: The law, regulation.

Rhys Griffiths
CONNECTIONS: 500+

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Charlotte Lamp Davies, founder, A Bright Approach

Travel tech stalwart Charlotte consults for DataArt and advises for Travel Technology Europe, regularly tweeting about the sector. The “Dane living in and loving London” also has a penchant for the performing arts and even has qualifications in opera singing.

Most likely to post about: Musicals, funny and feel-good news, family, travel technology.

@Lottmus
FOLLOWERS: 1,767 | TWEETS: 18.5K

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Ashley Quint, travel consultant, Travel Time World

Never short of an informed opinion on all things travel, Ashley’s lit the touch paper on many an intriguing debate, particularly in aviation, and more recently on the subject of agent accreditation. Consider him travel’s very own canary in the coal mine.

Most likely to post about: Planes, routes, agent accreditation, fancy bank cards.

@LuxuryTravelled
FOLLOWERS: 1,721 | TWEETS: 26.2K

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Sarah Archer, UK sales manager, Beachcomber Tours

Another tireless traveller, Sarah likes to update her followers on her business meetings and greetings up and down the country, often with a bit of mirth thrown in. Despite living and breathing her employer, posh Mauritius hotel operator Beachcomber, she also loves her caravan.

Most likely to post about: Mauritius, wine, cosy outings in the caravan, extreme
fancy dress.

/ladyarcherbeachcomber

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Claire Osborne, solutions sales director, Travelport

Chair of AWTE (Association of Women Travel Executives), Claire is an advocate for diversity and inclusion and uses Twitter to help spread her views. She is also a musical theatre fan.

Most likely to post about: Trump’s latest gaffes, AWTE, pics from travel events.

@cl_osborne
FOLLOWERS: 194 | TWEETS: 1,686

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TTG’s 2019 Social Squad. We keep an eye out for strong socials throughout the year. If you know of any folk from the far reaches of travel who you feel warrant a spot on the list, let us know by tagging us and using the hashtag #TTGSocialSquad. We've listed our channels below – go on, give us a follow and join the conversation!

@TTGMedia

@ttgmedia

/TravelTradeGazette

TTG Media Ltd