This year we’re back with a new rundown, including a few old favourites and some new arrivals.
The list takes into consideration each tweeter’s number of followers, number of tweets and those who bring personality and humour into their 140 characters - but excludes those who only re-tweet others or use the social network solely to market their brand.
Still on the list, Kuoni’s managing director Derek Jones remains an avid fan of Twitter. Keeps his followers entertained with political comments and witty image captions.
“So… the people who slow down for the yellow average speed cameras then speed up between them, they’re the ones without a maths GCSE then?”
8,249 tweets - 2,463 followers
@Fillingthepages (new entry)
Hurtigruten’s e-commerce manager Marianne McPhee, also part of TTG’s current 30 Under 30. Comments on all things sport, cats and London hangouts.
“Can’t wait for a big weekend of sport! #bringiton #CommonwealthGames #Glasgow2014”
10,600 tweets - 869 followers
Self-confessed grumpiest man in the industry. Continues to moan and groan about all things travel. Most likely to be tweeting about the “nightmareliner”. Least likely to say: “I wish there were more travel industry awards”.
“Next time you board a #787… Just bear in mind: the airlines asked for an aircraft that was as cheap as chips to operate…”
36,600 tweets - 1,432 followers
Travel 2’s managing director set himself the goal last year of having 1,000 (relevant) followers by the end of the summer, and he looks to have surpassed that aim… likes to tweet about his day and witty anecdotes.
“What is that thing when you open your mouth and a bit of spit squirts out on its own rather randomly??”
6,683 tweets - 1,529 followers
Cook’s chief executive has seen her followers increase 215% since last year’s TTG Twitter list. Most tweets likely to include praise for Thomas Cook in some format…
“It’s 173 years ago today that @ThomasCookUK took his first customers on an 11-mile temperance rail trip! We are so proud of our heritage.”
870 tweets - 4,623 followers
@darrington_a (new entry)
Kuoni’s head of trade sales spends most of her time out on the road visiting various travel agents. Likes to tweet about all things travel news related… and Kuoni.
“#TravelAgents just a cheeky reminder that price parity rules at @KuoniTravelUK #fair”
1,411 tweets - 741 followers
Travel Counsellors chairman - likes to offer comment on various news stories, especially regarding airports and anything pro-Travel Counsellors.
“Airports are hell - no wonder staycations are growing in popularity… Customers deserve better”
1,913 tweets - 1,063 followers
@mrdavidwhitley (new entry)
Freelance travel journalist who offers comment and insight on travel trade news and the wider world.
“Parents who think travel firms are ripping off families by hiking up prices during British school holidays are very, very thick.”
45,100 tweets - 10,200 followers
Organiser of the Travel Trade Crusade and avid Chris Moyles fan, Ms Archer never misses an opportunity to big up #Mauritius while also enjoying retweets of comedy images involving animals.
“Payday. How marvellous! Get carried away & book a holiday to #Mauritius. Your travel agent is waiting for you…”
9,953 tweets - 1,146 followers
Managing director of Haslemere Travel and chair of Aito Agents. Self-confessed lover of “travel, high heels and anything sparkly”.
“How on earth have I lost my favourite #MAC #eyeliner in this hotel bathroom??? Did it grow legs and walk away?? Sun gone to my head?”
2,404 tweets - 835 followers
@HelenDHays (new entry)
Digital marketer at Hays Travel - a relatively new travel tweeter most likely to be commenting on airlines after delays. Least likely to say: “Oh wow, my flight is on time.”
“3-hour delay for a 1hr 35min flight. I’m not having much airport luck this year @NCLairport @easyJet #PubItIs”
346 tweets - 142 followers
@gileshawke (re-entry)
MSC Cruises’ new UK head honcho - likes to tweet about his new employer and cycling.
“Tomorrow I will mostly be mountain biking around the Isle of Wight! Might avoid the Needles though!”
1,982 tweets - 955 followers
@JoRzyCruise (new entry)
The new UK managing director of Celebrity Cruises, Rzymowska took a while to become accustomed to Twitter after being introduced by TTG’s @danielpearce. Most likely to be found tweeting about Celebrity or AWTE.
“#AWTE60 Thank You AWTE for a great evening. Feel honoured to be part of the 60 for 60. Here’s to the next 60! Go girls Go!”
377 tweets - 1,150 followers
Holiday Extras’ Lindsay Garvey-Jones remains a cheerful tweeter, offering thoughts to make people smile. Also enjoys commenting on the weather.
“How is everyone coping in this extraordinary heat??? Hot #sun #nicebutsticky”
6,251 tweets - 1,108 followers
@UKAndyHarmer (new entry)
Handy for keeping the trade up to date with all things cruise. Most likely to tweet: “Get on board with cruise.” Least likely to say: “Cruising is for the newly wed, nearly dead or overfed.”
“Missed something in cruise news this week? Have no fear - CLIA is here: Read our blog! http://cliaukireland.blogspot.co.uk”
5,358 tweets - 1,608 followers
@Sarahdoestravel (new entry)
The MD of travel PR firm Lotus, Johnson tends to enjoy mixing personal tweets about current affairs and her dog with the latest news from the travel sector.
“Phew. Dog survived day at work and team @LotusUK survived Griff. Phew. #dogonboard #hotdog”
1,581 tweets - 1,251 followers
@RichardDixon66 (re-entry)
Likes to tweet about running, cycling… and occasionally travel.
“You know you’re in Marathon Training when Saturday starts at 6.30am #Amsterdam”
9,409 tweets - 1,076 followers
@gbalmy (new entry)
Not as many followers as his peers, but Superbreak’s Graham Balmforth is a keen Tweeterer. Tends to provide regular updates about his family and everyday life.
“Did you know….you can’t get Dairylea Triangles in Bermuda? #morningbytheway”
1,532 tweets - 439 followers
More au fait with Twitter than in previous years, McEwan is still a big fan of the retweets - namely anything that’s Everton, general sport or WW1 anniversary related.
“Brilliant performance by the England 400x100 relay team to get silver! Well done Jamaica too for gold#CommonwealthGames”
9,537 tweets - 1,401 followers
@KCKiwiGirl (re-entry)
G Adventures PR manager tweets about all that London has to offer, interspersed with comments on adventure travel.
“This city never fails to amaze me #london #summer #love @Victoria Embankment”
8,993 tweets - 3,317 followers
Founding member of travel’s “ginger mafia”, Attraction World’s head of sales can mainly be found tweeting comedy photos of others in the industry, mixed in with thought-provoking quotes.
“Think about your direction. Ensure your priorities are set to make the changes you want to happen as quickly as possible. Commit to yourself.”
3,454 tweets - 1,220 followers
Describes himself as a “tie-loathing adventurer… otherwise known as Dr Yes”. The Virgin Atlantic founder likes to tweet about his family, space travel and animal welfare.
“When the buying stops, the killing can too. Illicit ivory trade must end - now.”
5,941 tweets - 4.31 million followers
Travel’s ubiquitous photographer can usually be found tweeting snaps from industry events, typically accompanied by witty captions.
“So proud of my wife, ever fab @KristinaWallen 1 of 60 influential women in travel #AWTE60”
5,369 tweets - 1,827 followers
Advantage MD, fan of retweeting charity requests or comments on current affairs, as well as travel trade news.
”We had a visit from this monster dragonfly! Can’t pretend there werent a few screams:) #DragonFly #Jurassic”
2,773 tweets - 933 followers
Crawley-based Travel Counsellor who keeps his followers in the loop with all the latest travel news, updates on his running and, er, the weather.
“Good morning everyone…Storms didn’t really materialise over Crawley last night so comfortable night sleep. Warm/humid today though…”
8,471 tweets - 1,470 followers
