Kimara Boyd, Howard Travel
“I applied for the TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassador programme because I really wanted to learn more about sustainable travel and how I can help my clients make more responsible choices when exploring the world, and it was such an eye-opener!
"The programme has been such an enjoyable and valuable experience, full of practical tips, inspiring discussions, and new ways of thinking about responsible travel.
"I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of what sustainable travel truly means, and it has given me the confidence to guide my clients towards responsible travel choices and help them understand the positive impact their decisions can make, while still enjoying the amazing adventures that make travel so special.
"I’m really proud to be part of this initiative and can’t wait to start putting everything I’ve learned into practice. A huge thank you to TTG Media and all the Heroes involved for such an inspiring course.”
Lisa Connolly, Travel Counsellors
“I joined TTG’s Sustainable Travel Ambassadors programme because I care about doing travel properly – for people, places and the planet. I wanted to cut through the noise and feel confident talking about sustainability in a way that’s clear, honest, and client-friendly.
"The programme’s been brilliant – packed with practical advice and supplier insight that actually helps. It’s sharpened how I communicate, helped me spot greenwashing and made it easier to weave sustainability into everyday conversations. I’m already putting it into action and excited to keep sharing what I’ve learned, supporting others in the trade, and championing travel that genuinely makes a difference.”
Kiri Dulay, The Personal Travel Agents at Your Coop Travel
“The programme has been incredibly insightful. I’ve learnt so much about the practical steps that travel companies and destinations are taking to make meaningful changes.
"From a personal perspective It’s been inspiring to see how our industry partners are leading the way in sustainability, and it’s shown me that these efforts need advocates like us to highlight and communicate them effectively.”
Marie Gardner, Not Just Travel
“I applied for TTG’s Sustainable Travel Heroes programme because being a travel agent of Jamaican heritage, growing up, I was lucky to visit Jamaica regularly and experience its vibrant culture and warm people. Over time, I noticed changes in the tourism landscape – large all-inclusive resorts, private beaches excluding locals and clients not leaving resorts or engaging with local communities. It didn’t feel right that while visitors would wax lyrical about the beauty of the island's beaches and Caribbean Sea, so little was being given back to the island and its people during the all-inclusive stays.
"Through the programme, I’ve learned that sustainable travel isn’t just about flying less or making sacrifices to the enjoyment of your holiday – it can actually enhance the holiday experience. It’s about finding that balance between your well-earned break whilst getting out to learn and support local businesses and communities, consciously protecting the environment and showing respect for the local culture and wildlife.
"Moving forward, I’ve built my website around sustainable tourism. My goal is to become the go-to agent for curious travellers who want to truly connect with destinations and give back as much as they receive.”
Thea Gillingham, Travel Counsellors
“With an increasing number of clients now focused on sustainable travel, I applied to the TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors programme to gain clarity and confidence in guiding those conversations, not just with clients who ask but also in helping others make travel a genuine force for good.
"The in-depth discussions with both suppliers and fellow Ambassadors have been invaluable, giving me the opportunity to reflect on my own business practices and consider how I can do better, while also challenging suppliers to raise their standards.
"The programme has inspired me to take a more proactive role in ensuring that sustainability is embedded in every stage of the client journey. I’m looking forward to continuing as a Sustainable Travel Ambassador beyond the programme, ensuring that every package I sell is responsible, meaningful, and has sustainability at its core.”
Amanda Handy, Millington Travel
“I applied to the TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors programme to help me understand more how sustainable travel can play a part in my work. I've seen travel change over my time being an agent and wanted to know how I could continue to do this and take care of our world.
"The journey I have taken has given me confidence in sharing this with my clients and colleagues, encouraging changes within the office and being able to advise clients that sustainable travel is not always the more expensive option. It is just the choices you make whilst on holiday, by looking at the actions being taken by the hotel you are staying in and travelling with an operator investing in the local economy. I'm looking forward to being able to encourage travellers and travel agents of the future to look for smarter ways to travel."
Caitlyn Hurd, Travel Village Group
“I applied for the TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassador programme because I’m very passionate when it comes to doing better for the planet. I wanted to learn about which suppliers and destinations are more sustainable so I can show that to my future customers when it comes to booking. I feel like it’s really opened my eyes on how myself and the company can become more sustainable, and after having meetings with my colleagues we have all agreed on becoming more sustainable one step at a time.
"I can now be more confident selling certain suppliers and destinations and be able to share that with my colleagues. We as a team are having weekly calls with ideas of what we can do to become more sustainable. We have created a spreadsheet with lots of different suppliers, destinations and hotels on which are sustainable and what they are doing to become more sustainable and we will be doing six-month reviews to see where we are at for becoming more sustainable. ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ is what we all keep saying, so we have a while to go but with the knowledge I now have we can give this a real push.”
Dan Hyams, Travel Counsellors
“I applied to the TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors programme to deepen my commitment to ethical and meaningful travel, and to connect with like-minded professionals driving positive change in our industry.
"As a Travel Counsellor and co-lead of TC Sustain, I’m passionate about helping clients travel better, not just further. The programme has been both inspiring and practical, giving me tools to engage suppliers, educate clients and embed sustainability into my everyday work. I particularly valued the opportunity to reflect on my energy use, challenge suppliers and create resources like responsible travel tips. These tasks helped me think more holistically about impact and influence. Moving forward, I’m excited to continue switch-selling to more sustainable options, promoting trips that give back, and sharing what I’ve learned with my network. I believe small, consistent actions, when shared, can lead to big change, and I’m proud to be part of this movement."
Lucy Irwin, Dawson & Sanderson
“I applied to the TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors programme as I had recently completed an apprenticeship in travel and wanted to learn more about this area of the industry. I felt my knowledge was lacking on sustainable holidays and wanted to be more informed on how and why to sell these holidays. I have learnt the importance of a sustainable holiday, not just for the present, but the future of travel, and how small changes can make a huge difference.
"As a high street travel agent, we are at the forefront of change and are able to have direct contact in educating customers on sustainable travel. I feel more confident in selling suitable travel and look forward to passing more of this knowledge to my colleagues so we can see a more sustainable travel future!”
Lily Jones, Travel By Hannah
“I applied to TTG’s Sustainable Travel Ambassadors programme because I really care about making travel more responsible and positive for the planet. I wanted to learn how I can make a real difference as a younger agent, not just talk about sustainability but actually put it into action.
"The programme has been so inspiring, I’ve learned so much about how travel/operators can be more eco-friendly and support local communities, and I’ve met some amazing people who are all passionate about the same thing. It’s definitely opened my eyes to the small changes that can have a big impact.
"Moving forward, I want to use what I’ve learned to help my clients make more responsible travel choices and to bring fresh, sustainable ideas into my workplace. I’m excited to keep building on what I’ve learned and play my part in shaping more positive, sustainable travel."
Lisette Julio-Quinn, Not Just Travel
“Since starting our homeworking travel business with Not Just Travel, we’ve been proud to champion responsible travel from day one. As early supporters of the NJT Positive Impact Project Contribution (formerly the Climate Hero Scheme), we ensure every client booking contributes to global rewilding and restoration projects in partnership with Mossy Earth around the world.
"Having completed Level 1 and now progressing through Level 2 of the Kiwano Sustainable Masterclass, I’m continually expanding my knowledge and confidence in sustainable travel.
"Applying for the TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors programme felt like a natural next step – an opportunity to learn from suppliers and partners who share our passion for making travel a force for good. The programme has deepened my understanding and inspired new ways to educate clients about reducing carbon footprints, protecting wildlife, and supporting local communities through authentic, responsible travel experiences.”
Leah Mackay, Mackay Travel Counsellors
“I applied to TTG’s Sustainable Travel Ambassadors programme because I wanted to really understand what sustainable travel means, beyond the buzzwords, and feel confident talking about it with my clients and fellow travel professionals. Over the past six months, I’ve learned that sustainability is about so much more than avoiding flights. It’s about the small, thoughtful choices we make as travellers, from where we stay and eat to how we support local communities and suppliers.
"The programme has been eye-opening and inspiring, and it’s changed the way I approach travel planning every day. Looking ahead, I’d love to share what I’ve learned with other agents by developing a sustainable travel education programme, something live, interactive and practical that combines the insights from TTG’s workshops and suppliers to help bring sustainability to life in a real, engaging way.”
Bethany McNally, PR World Travel
“I applied to the TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors programme because I’m genuinely passionate about making travel more responsible and ensuring that tourism has a positive impact on both people, wildlife and the planet. I wanted to deepen my understanding of sustainability within the industry and learn practical ways to put it into action in my role.
"Throughout the programme, I’ve gained so much — from learning how to identify more sustainable suppliers and communicate about sustainability transparently, to understanding how we can help clients travel more responsibly and have a positive impact.
"I found the sessions really inspiring and the homework especially valuable, as it allowed me to do my own research and get creative with ideas for promoting sustainable travel.
"Going forward, I’m excited to put what I’ve learned into practice by sharing knowledge with colleagues and clients, encouraging responsible choices, and supporting suppliers and initiatives that are genuinely making a difference. My aspiration is to help make sustainability a natural part of every travel conversation and decision, showing that responsible travel can be both meaningful and memorable.”
Aimee Morgan, Murray Travel
"Sustainability in travel is becoming increasingly important, and it’s encouraging to see more travellers placing it at the forefront of their decisions. I wanted to feel confident not only joining these conversations but also leading them – and the TTG Sustainability Course has helped set me on that path.
"Now that we’ve all graduated, the work doesn’t stop here. The journey toward more sustainable travel is ongoing, and it’s reassuring to know that as Sustainability Heroes, we have a wealth of support and resources available to us to keep making a difference."
Jo O'Connell, Jo and Jo, Not Just Travel
“Both Mrs Jo and I are passionate about sustainable travel and this opportunity gave us the chance to learn so much more.
"We can't wait to use the assets to come to promote our business and the sustainable travel agenda moving forward.”
Fiona Ollerhead, Escape the Ordinary
“I chose to join the TTG Sustainable Ambassador programme because I have recently moved back into the travel and tourism sector, after many years of travelling and an early career in travel. For the past 15 years, I have worked in sustainability, particularly with community enterprises and environmental issues such as food surplus. Initially, when I started planning my business, I intended to promote sustainable trips as part of a broader travel offering. However, this programme has completely transformed my approach. I am now fully focused on sustainable travel experiences and holidays, rather than offering a mix of travel options, and on actively promoting sustainable travel as a spokesperson.
"The programme has given me the confidence to engage with diverse groups – from schools and businesses to community entrepreneurs – and to showcase practical ways to travel sustainably. I am immensely grateful to TTG and all the sponsors for making this opportunity possible.”
Anna Reed, Ocky White Travel
“Although a huge part of sustainable travel is about protecting our environment, I have learned how to support local communities, preserve cultures for future generations and how best to communicate this to clients. Making conscious choices to minimise our negative impact like waste, respecting local traditions and ensuring your spending benefits local economies. Realising we can balance our own holiday with environmental and cultural respect.
"The programme taught me to rethink about how to physically travel more sustainably, but also think about supporting locals, choosing accommodation that promotes sustainable values. Eating locally and buying from small independent businesses. Take the excursion that gives back to the community. Ensure your spending boosts local economies. Respect for local traditions and customs and different cultures. Practice minimising waste and reducing water usage. With all of these areas I’ve learnt how I can make suggestions to clients.”
Paige Richardson, Butterfly Travel
“I applied to the TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors programme as sustainability was a prominent topic within my apprenticeship with AS Training and I didn’t feel I understood it fully. This inspired me to apply for the programme to further my knowledge as I found it difficult to understand how clients could travel without damaging the planet too much and leave any positive impact.
"I found the programme hugely helpful as I learnt about so much more than I thought I would. This included advising clients about how they can be more responsible during their holiday, how to tell which companies are genuine about leaving a positive impact and which companies are greenwashing, and how clients can still relax while being mindful of the planet.
"Learning about how sustainability is more than just a carbon footprint was brand new to me. We learnt about the social and economical factors of supporting local companies including restaurants and excursion suppliers to encourage growth in areas which are less developed.”
Lisa Russell, Wanderluxe By Lisa
“Taking part in the TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes programme has been a truly eye-opening experience. From witnessing coral regeneration firsthand and helping with turtle hatchling releases in Mexico, to exploring sustainable transport initiatives in Switzerland, I’ve gained a deep appreciation for the real impact that small changes can make travel more responsible.
"Seeing these projects in action has helped me understand not just the what, but also the why and how behind sustainable practices – from conservation and community engagement to reducing our carbon footprint. It’s inspired me to educate clients on travelling more thoughtfully, supporting destinations that prioritise preservation and positive impact.
"On a personal level, it’s encouraged me to make small, conscious changes in my own day-to-day life and travels – whether that’s choosing eco-certified stays, offsetting flights, or simply being more mindful of the footprint we leave behind. Sustainability isn’t a trend; it’s our shared responsibility.”
Chloe Summerfield, Cumbria Travel
“I applied for the TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors programme to increase my knowledge of sustainable tourism, learn more about what operators are doing and how we as a company can make more of an impact in our everyday lives.
"Being able to share these invaluable findings with my colleagues has encouraged us all to think more about our impact and how we can influence our existing and future customers on how we can all travel more sustainably and smarter.”
Alison Nicholls, Travel Counsellors
"Sustainability is important to me, at its core it is valuing a balance between people, profit, and the planet. It encourages thoughtful consumption, ethical business practices, and respect for local communities and ecosystems.
"Every small action, from reducing plastic use to supporting eco-friendly travel and businesses, contributes to a global effort for positive change. Sustainability isn’t just an environmental goal – it’s a way of living with awareness, compassion, and responsibility, ensuring that our world remains healthy, vibrant, and liveable for generations to come.
"When managed well, travel empowers communities, promotes inclusivity, and supports long-term social and environmental well-being, and encourages preservation of natural and historical sites. It enables communities to share their local traditions, heritage and cultures ensuring they are also protected for the future.
"My drive is to provide choices for my clients to make a positive impact with their travel experiences, to add to communities and places in a considered manner that also enhance their adventures."
Caroline Joyner, Travel Counsellors
"Twenty years ago, as I embarked on my career as a product manager, sustainability was scarcely mentioned – however I recognised the power travel and tourism has to transform lives, enriching both visitors and the communities they touch.
"My passion for travel deepened as I witnessed firsthand how, when approached thoughtfully, it can create a ripple effect of positive outcomes across the globe. However, this impact is not automatic; it depends on our choices and commitment as travel professionals.
"Of course the opposite is equally true: careless travel can cause unintended harm. That's why I have eagerly embraced the TTG Sustainable Heroes training, gaining deeper insights and connecting with like-minded agents who share my passion. As travel agents, we hold a unique responsibility – and privilege – to empower our clients. By sharing our knowledge, we inspire travellers to make conscious choices, ensuring that every holiday, no matter the destination or style, contributes to a more sustainable and uplifting world."
Kate Bailey, Travel Counsellors
"Sustainability within the travel industry is profoundly important to protect the people, wildlife and environments around the world. I believe responsible tourism is not only the ethical approach but also essential for the long-term success of our industry.
"Completing the TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors tasks has strengthened my understanding of practical ways to reduce impact – from energy use and supplier choices to encouraging more thoughtful traveller behaviour.
"The programme has really inspired me to be more intentional in my client conversations, promoting certified sustainable hotels and operators, sharing responsible travel tips, publishing my own animal welfare policy on my upcoming website and highlighting authentic community-based experiences.
"My goal is to continue learning, to influence my peers and to ensure that sustainability becomes second nature in every holiday I plan."
Toni Sharp, Designer Travel
"As a travel expert, I believe I have a responsibility to protect the places I promote, ensuring future generations can experience their beauty too. The homework tasks helped me explore sustainability beyond the buzzwords, deepening my understanding of carbon offsetting, ethical suppliers and the ripple effect of small choices. I now feel more confident in advising clients on eco-conscious options that don’t compromise on luxury.
"It’s inspired me to refine my brand messaging, spotlighting responsible travel in a way that feels aspirational rather than preachy. My aspiration is to weave sustainability into every touchpoint, from curated itineraries to supplier partnerships, making it a seamless part of the Designer Travel experience. I want clients to feel good about their holidays, knowing they’re contributing to something bigger. This journey has only just begun, and I’m excited to keep learning and leading with purpose."
For more tips on selling sustainable travel visit ttgmedia.com/ttg-sustainable-travel-heroes
