But what connects the 30 young professionals that will form this year’s intake of Tomorrow’s Travel Leaders is their ambition, commitment and potential.

Now in its fifth year, our 30 Under 30 programme saw applications from more than 130 of the travel industry’s brightest young things, and our judging panel certainly had its work cut out, trying to choose the 30 who would make the list.

This year’s group came together for the first time last week, to take the cover shot for this edition, and if the energy, humour and curiosity of the group was anything to go by, it’s going to be an exciting 12 months for them – and us too.

In a fortnight’s time, the 30 will enjoy their first networking dinner, when Neilson chief executive Richard Bowden-Doyle will address the group and share some of the experiences of his 25-year career in travel, spanning mainstream and specialist tour operating and the online space.

There are further dinners to come in 2017, but as ever, we expect that meeting other like-minded young people, building a support network, and considering mutual business opportunities will be as much a benefit of being in 30 Under 30 as hearing from those at the top.

You’ll be hearing lots from our 30 Under 30 in TTG too, as we profile them throughout the year and champion their achievements.

You can meet them all in the magazine and please say hello to them on Twitter by finding my Twitter list of all our new recruits.

If you feel inspired by their ambition and entrepreneurialism, then we’d love to see you at our Tomorrow’s Travel Leaders conference on November 25.

The day-long conference will be packed with advice on starting and growing businesses, tips on leadership and management skills, and the chance to learn the secrets of success from some of the travel leaders of today.

And most importantly – you don’t have to be under 30 to attend!