Being shortlisted for the TTG Top 50 Travel Agents Responsible Travel Champion award for the second year running is a tremendous honour.
It’s a real validation of the work I’ve been passionately pursuing over the past three years and a reminder of why sustainability matters so deeply to me.
A Year Focused on Learning
2025 has been a really busy and rewarding year for me when it comes to sustainability.
I’ve spent a lot of time learning and growing. I completed my Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Climate Change and Environmental Awareness and graduated from the Travel Village Group River Cruise Academy. I’m also currently studying the WeNaTour Sustainability Course, which is giving me a really solid understanding of sustainable tourism from the ground up.
Learning Through Travel
On the travel side, I’ve visited some amazing places this year – the Danube on Scenic Opal, the Rhine on Emerald Sun, the AE Expeditions event in Aberdeen, plus trips to Cap St Georges in Cyprus and the Little Boats of Catalonia with Titan Travel.
These weren’t always trips specifically designed around sustainability, but I’ve used them as opportunities to really look at what’s sustainable and what’s not, so I can better understand the realities on the ground and how we can sell these trips more responsibly.
Supporting Others in the Industry
Supporting fellow travel agents has been a big focus for me this year. I truly believe it’s our responsibility as an industry to understand what we’re selling – how it affects local communities, the environment, and the destinations. It’s also important to encourage our customers to travel in ways that benefit everyone.
I’ve spoken to many people about this topic, aiming to engage and inspire them about the exciting opportunities sustainable travel offers.
Turning Ideas into Action
On the practical side, I have helped launch the Travel Village Group Sustainability Steering Group, an initiative that will help ensure sustainability becomes part of how we do business every day.
I’ve also created Responsible Travel Destination Guides for my customers and developed an online email course about reducing single-use plastics for Sheffield Action on Plastic, which went live for Plastic Free July.
Why Sustainability Matters to Me
To me, sustainability is all about protecting the amazing places and communities we visit so they can thrive for generations to come.
It’s something I take really seriously – helping travellers make choices that do less harm and create a positive impact. Without sustainability, the future of travel itself could be compromised.
What This Shortlist Means
Being shortlisted again is incredibly motivating. It’s not just a nod to my own work but a recognition of the shared commitment from my colleagues, partners, and customers who believe in this vision too. It pushes me to keep innovating, breaking new ground, and leading by example.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Looking ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year. I’ll be joining the Travel Village Group Touring and Adventure Academy to deepen my knowledge of adventure travel, and I’ll also be completing the GSTC Sustainable Tourism Training Program.
One of the big projects I’m really excited about is rolling out our sustainability initiative across the Travel Village Group, helping to make sustainability part of everything we do.
Always Moving Forward
The journey to truly sustainable travel is ongoing. I’m so proud to be part of a movement making a real difference, and I’ll continue supporting my customers to travel responsibly so they can explore the world with care and confidence.