TTG's 30 Under 30: Class of 2013

Co-founder, Lost Earth Adventures

Sarah started the business five years ago with her partner Richard Goodley after having travelled through Asia and seen a gap in the market for unique adventure tours.

She has personally researched every experience on offer and used her background in marketing to write the website, marketing materials and itineraries.

Online manager, Affinion International Travel

Simon cut his teeth in the marketing department for thomascook.com. While managing online for the Thomas Cook youth specialist businesses he helped halve the boost sales while halving the cost per sale, and improved social media use.

He joined Affinion Travel in early 2012 and has since then brought three new websites to market, including a new corporate website for the agency.

Associate, Travlaw LLP

Charlotte joined the firm in 2007. She secured Travlaw a role as one of the main providers of the Abta HR helpline and is a regular attendee of the Abta Travel Convention and the ITT Conference.

This year she is focusing on developing a new product for the industry, Travlaw HR Protect.

Founding partner, IAVRA

Despite being only 28, John-Christian has already founded two companies: Peritas International, a travel concierge company, and International Association of Villa Rental Agents.

IAVRA was born out the frustration he experienced at Peritas, when trying to source holiday properties from around the world.

Destination PR manager, VisitEngland

Laura joined VisitEngland in 2011 and has played an integral role in expanding the PR department from one person to the current five.

She has been an important part of the team during this important year of the Diamond Jubilee, the Torch Relay, the Cultural Olympiad and the Olympic and the Paralympic Games.

Founder, Diamonte Travel

Rohan Mark launched Diamonte Travel in 2011, aged 25. It caters for the rich and famous, including entrepreneurs, footballers and US rappers.

Inspiration came when he organised a holiday to Monte Carlo for his girlfriend, complete with Maserati and helicopter hire. It went so well that friends and family began asking him to arrange trips for them.

Sales consultant, Thomas Cook

Kyle started at Thomas Cook in 2009 and has already collected a number of awards. He is also a co-ordinator for Club 18-30 in West Yorkshire and has helped raise sales by 25% in the region.

In 2011 he was named co-ordinator of the year.

Manager, Expedia TAAP

Rob started managing Expedia TAAP in November 2011 and has since led year on year sales to double digit growth.

He has also worked on creating two marketing campaigns, and took the initiative to contact two of Ireland’s largest consortia when Expedia TAAP launched there in January 2012.

Sales and administration manager, Ski Amis

Danielle joined Ski Amis in 2009. She helped to change systems within the business by reworking sales processes.

After a break in 2010 she rejoined the company in 2012 to manage its UK office. She is now responsible for running the sales office and has significantly increased bookings in the first half of 2012.

Affinity manager, Stewart Travel

Dianne started in travel 10 years ago as a junior consultant in Stewart Travel’s full service agency in Prestwick while completing her NVQ’s in travel services.

She then moved into the newly established marketing department and now heads it up as affinity manager, leading a team of six people.

Performance marketing specialist, Teletext Holidays

Paul joined Teletext two years ago from outside the travel industry which has allowed him to consistently challenge ‘industry norms’. He has contributed to increasing traffic by 20% year on year.

Operations manager, Blue Bay Travel

Gemma started out as an admin clerk and today manages a call centre with 30 staff. She has helped increase conversions from 20% to 28% which has seen the business grow from £12.5 million to £15 million.

She has also helped improve communication within the team and monitors individual and overall sales, profit, conversions, productivity and best sellers.

Field sales manager, Complete Cruise Solution

Stacey started her career with Carnival UK as a reservations consultant in 2005. She was quickly promoted, first to the P&O Cruises marketing team and then to the CCS sales team.

Recently she became field sales manager and in recognition of her achievements in the role was awarded manager of the year 2011.

Head of bids & marketing, Click Travel

Michelle started her career with at Thomas Cook, and soon moved on to Londsdale Travel as a flight reservations consultant.

After the business was  taken over by Capita, Michelle became involved with bid management and was subsequently head-hunted to join Click Travel, where her role has expanded to include responsibility for marketing.

Director, Perfect Weddings Abroad

Danny studied travel and tourism management at university and did a work placement at a tour operator.

From there he started at Perfect Weddings Abroad, learning about the industry and business on the job. He is now a board member of the ITT.

Foreign exchange coordinator, Ilkeston Co-op Travel

Joanne runs a city centre bureau and has taken on the role of co-ordinator, with responsibility for 48 stores in two regions. In 2011 she surpassed her individual sales target and Ilkeston was named bureau of the year.

This year she has increased the bureau’s profit margin from 2.5% to 4.8% week on week.