TCT – Travel Company Tracker https://tct.pixels-staging.com Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:14:10 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://tct.pixels-staging.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/TCTFavicon.jpg TCT – Travel Company Tracker https://tct.pixels-staging.com 32 32 Buyer Interview : Vanessa Wallace of V Travel Network https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-interview-vanessa-wallace-of-v-travel-network/ https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-interview-vanessa-wallace-of-v-travel-network/#respond Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:11:38 +0000 https://tct.pixels-staging.com/?p=2617 In this video interview, Vanessa Wallace of V Travel Network shares valuable insights into the role of wholesale travel distribution, supplier partnerships, and the evolving needs of travel agents and travellers across Australia and New Zealand.

Drawing on extensive experience in international travel, destination marketing, and wholesale distribution, Vanessa explains how V Travel Network connects travel agents with trusted global suppliers, what makes a supplier stand out in a competitive marketplace, and why relationships, responsiveness, and customer service remain the foundations of successful travel partnerships.

What you’ll learn in this interview

● How wholesale travel businesses support travel agents and international suppliers
● What Vanessa looks for when evaluating new suppliers, DMCs, and travel experiences
● Why customer service and problem-solving are more important than ever in supplier relationships
● How communication, responsiveness, and reliability influence purchasing decisions
● What makes a supplier stand out at trade shows, workshops, and industry events
● Why unique experiences and clear differentiation are critical in a crowded marketplace
● How FAM trips help travel professionals better understand destinations and products
● What suppliers can do to create more effective and valuable FAM trip experiences
● How global events, travel disruptions, and changing traveller confidence are shaping demand across international markets

Who this interview is for

This interview is especially relevant for:

● Tourism boards and Destination Management Organisations interested in understanding how products are evaluated and promoted in Australia and New Zealand

● DMCs and tour operators looking to expand distribution through travel agent networks
● Hotels, attractions, and experience providers seeking stronger relationships with wholesale buyers
● Suppliers wanting practical insight into what travel agents and wholesalers value most in a partnership
● Travel industry professionals interested in current trends, traveller behaviour, and international travel distribution

Watch the interview below to hear directly from Vanessa Wallace about building successful supplier partnerships, supporting travel agents, and helping travellers discover meaningful experiences around the world.

]]> https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-interview-vanessa-wallace-of-v-travel-network/feed/ 0 May 2026 – New Design https://tct.pixels-staging.com/may-2026-new-design/ https://tct.pixels-staging.com/may-2026-new-design/#respond Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:42:43 +0000 https://tct.pixels-staging.com/?p=2606 .tct-post{max-width:780px;margin:0 auto;padding:48px 24px 64px;font-family:'Poppins',Verdana,Arial,sans-serif;color:#333333;background:#ffffff;} .tct-post *{box-sizing:border-box;} .tct-post .tct-eyebrow{display:block;text-align:center;font-size:13px;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:2px;text-transform:uppercase;color:#bd202e;margin-bottom:10px;} .tct-post h1{text-align:center;font-size:34px;line-height:1.25;font-weight:700;color:#1a1a1a;margin:0 0 14px;} .tct-post .tct-meta{text-align:center;font-size:14px;color:#8a8a8a;margin-bottom:40px;} .tct-post .tct-meta::after{content:"";display:block;width:60px;height:3px;background:#bd202e;margin:18px auto 0;} .tct-post h2{font-size:24px;font-weight:700;color:#1a1a1a;margin:56px 0 18px;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #f1f1f1;} .tct-post h2 .tct-h2-accent{color:#bd202e;} .tct-post h3{font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#bd202e;margin:28px 0 8px;} .tct-post h4{font-size:16px;font-weight:700;color:#1a1a1a;margin:22px 0 6px;} .tct-post p{font-size:16px;line-height:1.7;margin:0 0 16px;} .tct-post a{color:#bd202e;text-decoration:underline;} .tct-post ul{margin:0 0 18px;padding-left:20px;} .tct-post li{font-size:16px;line-height:1.7;margin-bottom:8px;} .tct-post .tct-signoff{font-style:italic;color:#555555;} .tct-post blockquote{margin:24px 0;padding:20px 24px;background:#f9f4f4;border-left:4px solid #bd202e;font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;font-style:italic;color:#1a1a1a;} .tct-post .tct-tip{margin:0 0 18px;} .tct-post .tct-tip strong{display:block;color:#1a1a1a;font-size:16px;margin-bottom:2px;} .tct-post .tct-market{padding:18px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #f1f1f1;} .tct-post .tct-market:last-child{border-bottom:none;} .tct-post .tct-market h4{margin-top:0;} .tct-post .tct-read{display:inline-block;font-size:13px;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:0.5px;text-transform:uppercase;text-decoration:none;color:#bd202e;} .tct-post .tct-btn{display:inline-block;background:#bd202e;color:#ffffff !important;text-decoration:none;font-size:15px;font-weight:600;padding:14px 30px;border-radius:4px;margin-top:6px;} .tct-post .tct-btn:hover{background:#9c1a26;} .tct-post .tct-cta-box{background:#f9f4f4;border-radius:8px;padding:36px 32px;text-align:center;margin-top:24px;} .tct-post .tct-cta-box h3{color:#1a1a1a;font-size:22px;margin:0 0 12px;} .tct-post .tct-cta-box p{font-size:15px;color:#555555;} .tct-post .tct-note{font-size:13px;color:#888888;line-height:1.6;} .tct-post hr.tct-divider{border:none;border-top:1px solid #f1f1f1;margin:48px 0;} @media (max-width:600px){ .tct-post{padding:32px 16px 48px;} .tct-post h1{font-size:26px;} .tct-post h2{font-size:20px;} }
TCT Newsletter

What’s Moving in the Travel Trade — May 2026

May 2026  ·  A monthly briefing from Travel Company Tracker

Hello,

Welcome to TCT’s monthly newsletter.

At this time of year, I always find myself thinking about seasons. Spring has arrived across much of the northern hemisphere, while autumn is settling in for many of our contacts in the southern hemisphere.

Many years ago, when I lived in Singapore, I remember missing the changing seasons. There is something grounding about noticing the small shifts around us: warmer evenings, cooler mornings, longer days, leaves changing colour. Change can feel uncertain, but it also reminds us that movement and adaptation are part of life.

Of course, seasons themselves seem less predictable these days. We all wonder how hot summer will become, how cold winter may be, and what major climatic events may still lie ahead.

The travel industry often feels much the same. There is always uncertainty somewhere: economic shifts, political changes, operational pressures, changing traveller behaviour. Yet the industry adapts remarkably well. Travel companies continue to adjust, evolve, and find ways forward because the desire to travel remains deeply rooted. That adaptability is one of the reasons I continue to enjoy working in this industry so much.

As always, the aim of this newsletter is to provide useful information to support your B2B leisure sales outreach and help you stay connected with the travel companies most relevant to your business.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy this month’s edition.

Best wishes for the month ahead,
Claire

Buyer Interviews

In recent conversations with travel company buyers, one point stands out:

“We don’t have time to figure out if something fits, it needs to be obvious quite quickly.”

They also shared that they:

  • Prioritise suppliers aligned with their traveller profile
  • Look for overlap with what they already sell
  • Move on quickly if the fit isn’t clear

If you’d like to hear directly from buyers, you can watch our full buyer interview series on the website, where tour operators share how they evaluate suppliers, what they prioritise, and how they approach partnership.

What This Means for You

This isn’t about changing your product. It’s about how quickly a buyer can understand where you fit. A few simple ways to adapt:

Be clear, early Make your product, audience, and positioning obvious at a glance.
Focus on alignment The right partners will drive more value than a long list of contacts.
Think like a buyer Can they immediately see how you fit into their existing itineraries?

Trade Show Calendar

We’ve pulled together a trade show calendar covering the events across TCT’s source markets. It’s designed to give you a clear view of what’s coming up, so you can plan ahead without having to piece information together from multiple sources.

Whether you’re attending, following up, or preparing outreach around these events, having the full calendar in one place makes it easier to stay organised and focus your time where it matters most.

You can download a copy directly from our website. We will be updating the calendar on a monthly basis.

View the Trade Show Calendar

Trade Travel News

News Round-Up: Rising Fuel Prices and Outbound Travel

Rising fuel prices are continuing to influence outbound travel across TCT’s source markets, creating cost pressures for airlines, travel companies and travellers alike. Despite this, demand for travel remains resilient, with many companies adapting through revised pricing, route planning and operational efficiencies. Below is a snapshot of how the topic is currently being reported across each market.

Australia

Travel companies are adjusting pricing and introducing targeted fuel surcharges as diesel costs rise, while demand for travel experiences remains steady heading into the next travel season.

Read Article →

Canada

Air Canada has highlighted ongoing uncertainty around jet fuel prices, but the airline continues to see strong passenger demand as the sector adapts to changing operating costs.

Read Article →

Ireland

Fuel price protests in Ireland have drawn attention to rising transport costs, although outbound travel demand and holiday planning remain active ahead of the summer season.

Read Article →

New Zealand

Air New Zealand has adjusted parts of its schedule in response to higher fuel costs, while continuing to focus on maintaining key international connections and traveller demand.

Read Article →

South Africa

Expected fuel price increases are likely to raise transport costs for travellers, although the market continues to show strong interest in regional and outbound travel opportunities.

Read Article →

United Kingdom

British Airways is managing the impact of higher jet fuel prices while demand for outbound travel from the UK continues to remain comparatively resilient.

Read Article →

USA

US airlines are responding to higher fuel costs through fare adjustments and route planning, while travellers continue to prioritise leisure travel despite pricing pressures.

Read Article →

Sustainability News

From time to time, it’s great to have someone from outside the travel industry to look in. Elise Parkinson is a young graduate in sustainable food production. TCT gave her the task of exploring sustainability in the travel industry. As a starting point, she has collated this comprehensive and fascinating glossary.

Read Article →

Source Market Snapshot

TCT includes Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and the USA.

TCT is a comprehensive and dynamic database that includes detailed and constantly updated information on travel companies in your English-speaking markets. We are the go-to solution for hotels, destination management organisations/tourist boards, tourist attractions, and all travel suppliers looking to find and connect with leisure travel companies in key markets.

Enhance your sales strategy, save time, and achieve better results with TCT.

Sign up here for a free trial

Start exploring a 14-day free trial — no credit card required. During your trial, you’ll have access to all source markets and can perform unlimited searches. Each search will display the number of travel companies found and the names of five within the results, giving you a strong sense of the platform’s reach and relevance.

Start My Free Trial

Please note that some features are limited during the free trial. You won’t be able to view contact details, buyer notes, search by Travel Company name, or save your searches. Filters such as “offer my organisation” and “offers my organisation’s location(s)” are also not available during the trial. Upgrade anytime to unlock full access and enhanced functionality.

]]> https://tct.pixels-staging.com/may-2026-new-design/feed/ 0 May 2026 Newsletter https://tct.pixels-staging.com/may-2026-newsletter/ https://tct.pixels-staging.com/may-2026-newsletter/#respond Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:52:50 +0000 https://tct.pixels-staging.com/?p=2578 At this time of year, I always find myself thinking about seasons. Spring has arrived across much of the northern hemisphere, while autumn is settling in for many of our contacts in the southern hemisphere.

PDF_TestDownload
]]> https://tct.pixels-staging.com/may-2026-newsletter/feed/ 0 Sustainable Travel, Tourism Marketing and Travel Trade Insights https://tct.pixels-staging.com/sustainable-travel-tourism-marketing-and-travel-trade-insights/ https://tct.pixels-staging.com/sustainable-travel-tourism-marketing-and-travel-trade-insights/#respond Thu, 14 May 2026 08:14:55 +0000 https://tct.pixels-staging.com/?p=2446 From time to time, it’s great to have someone from outside the travel industry to look in. Elise Parkinson – Click here for Elise’s LinkedIn profile –  is a young graduate in sustainable food production. TCT gave her the task of exploring sustainability in the travel industry.

Please also see her “Sustainable Travel Terminology Glossary” article.

What sustainable and responsible travel really means today.

Introduction

Travel and tourism stands apart from other industries because it commodifies a place itself: a beautiful beach, ancient ruins, a bustling metropolis – for the enjoyment of visitors and the economic benefit of locals. This makes the case for sustainability almost self-evident: for the industry to thrive long-term, we must protect and, where necessary, restore the very destinations being sold. That responsibility extends beyond landscapes to include the built environment and the communities who call these places home.

There’s no two ways about it, the tourism industry has a large environmental impact. Accounting for roughly 8% of global carbon emissions, with almost half of that coming from transport alone (Nature, 2018). Air travel is obviously not going anywhere, meaning offsetting the emissions produced is essential. Habitat destruction is another common downside of tourism development, which exacerbates climate change through the loss of natural carbon sinks, like forests and wetlands (Sustainable Travel International, 2024).

It may seem like a daunting task, but the good news is there’s lots of things we can do as travel providers to be champions of sustainable and responsible travel, to ensure the prosperity of our industry and planet for future generations, and many people are taking huge steps towards it already.

This article is designed to give a comprehensive review of what sustainable and responsible travel looks like in practice and why sustainability should be integrated into overall business strategy.

Environmental Sustainability

As previously mentioned, climate mitigation is vital to the sustainability of tourism. This can be executed in a number of ways:

  • Supporting renewable energy transitions e.g. solar panels on the roofs of accommodation (Mierae Solar, 2025).
  • Carbon offsetting schemes e.g. funding/ creation of reforestation projects (Responsible Tourism Partnership, 2025)
  • Responsible use of resources e.g. minimising and managing food waste so little goes to landfill. (UNWTO, 2023)
  • Reduction/ elimination of plastic use e.g. banning single use plastic straws, cups etc. (Travel with care, 2025)

If we do not protect and restore ecosystems and habitats, many of the wonderful destinations we sell will become unattractive to travellers – no one wants to go on a safari with no animals! Therefore, we can:

  • Support and create rewilding and conservation projects e.g. building conservation and citizen science into travel itineraries. (Nicolas Duclos, 2025)
  • Use sustainable building and infrastructure e.g employing construction companies with strong sustainable practices and materials. (Tourism4SDGs, 2023)
  • Support temporary closures to allow for nature rehabilitation e.g. Maya Bay Thailand (OceanInfo)

One tourist picking a flower on a trail might seem unimportant, but many tourists doing the same can cause massive damage to a destination. Therefore, education is a powerful tool to encourage responsible recreation through philosophies such as leave no trace.

The 7 principles of leave no trace:

  • Plan ahead and prepare
  • Travel and camp on durable surfaces
  • Dispose of waste properly
  • Leave what you find
  • Minimise campfire impacts
  • Respect wildlife
  • Be considerate of others

Social Sustainability

A big part of responsible travel is about ensuring that alongside business success and traveller satisfaction, the communities affected by tourism benefit from welcoming visitors- not just financially, but socially too. This can be considered in many ways:

Slow travel

Providing itinerary options encouraging travellers to slay in one place for longer, emphasising meaningful experiences, cultural immersion and sustainability by:

  • Using public transport
  • Shopping and eating at local, independent businesses
  • Meeting the locals through volunteering or classes

(Slow Travel news, 2025)

DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion)

Inclusivity matters in all industries. This includes:

  • Diverse representation in marketing
  • Accessible itineraries
  • Fair working conditions
  • Ensuring travellers of all identities feel welcome

Decolonising Tourism

Shifting away from extractive, traveller-centric models shaped by colonial histories, towards an industry that prioritises equity, community power, and honest storytelling. It requires acknowledging the unequal power dynamics that still shape who gets to travel, who benefits from tourism and whose voices are heard. Ways to support this:

  • Support community-led tourism: Local people, especially those who have been historically marginalised, such as indigenous peoples, should decide how tourism operates on their land.
  • Tourism must support community wellbeing and avoid leakage where money from tourism leaves the destination.
  • Advocating for long-term systemic change where tourism serves the local people first, while still creating meaningful experiences for travellers.

Rooted (2024)

Frameworks and Certifications

There are several international frameworks to help guide us into an era of truly responsible and sustainable travel.

International commitments on responsible and climate conscious tourism.

A global blueprint for environmental and social progress.

One of the highest standards for corporate responsibility, covering both environmental and social performance. Partnerships with other B corps and striving to become one is key in moving from intention to measurable action.

Why we should be integrating sustainability into overall business strategy

Apart from the obvious ethical reasons, here’s why we should be facilitating sustainable and responsible travel:

  • Implementing pro-environmental measures becomes a logical tourism marketing expenditure when the organic, natural image is a primary driver of destination choice. The WWTC reports over half of the sectors demand is driven by desire to explore nature
  • One of six economic sectors where 80% of its goods and services are highly dependent on nature (WTTC) meaning sustainability is risk management.
  • The tourism industry is at the forefront of prosperity and job creation in the economies of many countries, with 357 million jobs in 2024 (approx 1 in 10 jobs!). Sustainability ensures its longevity. (World Metrics, 2025)
  • There is constant increasing pressure from governmental bodies and customers to align business activities with net zero targets. The EU’s Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition directive is due to come into force this year, it aims to tackle greenwashing by bans on vague environmental claims and requiring evidence based sustainability messaging. Failing to do so could come with penalties, impacting business growth.
  • Sustainability is now a competitive advantage due to an increase of environmentally conscious travellers. Companies that integrate sustainability into their core strategy can differentiate themselves in a crowded market and build stronger brand loyalty. (Readerfi, 2025)
  • Sustainable practices have the potential to reduce operational costs in the long term. Solar power, water-saving systems, waste reduction and efficient transport planning are all financially smart and sustainable! (Climefy)
]]> https://tct.pixels-staging.com/sustainable-travel-tourism-marketing-and-travel-trade-insights/feed/ 0 Buyer Interview: James Hill of James Hill Travels https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-interview-james-hill-of-james-hill-travels/ https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-interview-james-hill-of-james-hill-travels/#respond Tue, 12 May 2026 10:05:39 +0000 https://tct.pixels-staging.com/?p=2478 In this video interview, James Hill, owner of James Hill Travels, shares thoughtful insights into the world of escorted cultural travel, explaining how specialist tour operators design immersive itineraries, select trusted suppliers, and respond to the evolving expectations of today’s mature cultural traveler.

Drawing on more than three decades of experience creating and leading cultural tours across Italy, Europe, and beyond, James discusses the importance of authenticity, private access, and owner-led travel businesses. He explains how supplier relationships, destination accessibility, and thoughtful pacing shape the guest experience.

What you’ll learn in this interview

● How specialist cultural tour operators evaluate destinations and supplier partnerships
● How James Hill Travels balances comfort, pacing, food, accommodation, and intellectual content in escorted tours
● Why owner-led travel businesses continue to resonate strongly with discerning travelers
● How DMCs can add value by acting as trusted local filters and destination experts
● What James looks for in hotels, restaurants, guides, and transport providers
● Why direct flight access and ease of travel heavily influence destination selection
● Which trade shows, workshops, and FAM trips are most valuable for specialist operators
● How current geopolitical concerns and travel logistics are shaping destination demand

Who this interview is for

This interview is especially relevant for:

● DMCs and suppliers targeting high-end escorted cultural tour operators
● Hotels and experience providers seeking to attract mature cultural travelers
● Tourist boards and destinations wanting to understand the needs of niche cultural travel specialists
● Suppliers interested in building long-term relationships with owner-led travel businesses
● Travel professionals looking for insight into current trends in escorted cultural touring and destination development

Watch the interview above to hear directly from James about creating meaningful cultural travel experiences, building trusted supplier relationships, and delivering tours that combine expertise, authenticity, and personal connection.

]]> https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-interview-james-hill-of-james-hill-travels/feed/ 0 Buyer Insight Interview: Robert Young of CIE Tours https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-insight-interview-robert-young-of-cie-tours/ https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-insight-interview-robert-young-of-cie-tours/#respond Fri, 08 May 2026 09:52:49 +0000 https://tct.pixels-staging.com/?p=2398 In this video interview, Robert Young of CIE Tours shares valuable insights into how one of the leading escorted tour operators evaluates suppliers, builds long-term partnerships, and responds to changing traveler expectations.

Drawing on extensive experience in group touring across Ireland, Britain, Italy, Spain, and Iceland, Robert explains what suppliers need to understand when working with large-scale tour operators, why service and reliability matter so much, and how suppliers can genuinely differentiate themselves in a competitive market.

What you’ll learn in this interview

  • The practical requirements suppliers need to understand before working with a large tour operator
  •  Why service quality consistently matters more than luxury alone
  • Why transparency and long-term collaboration are essential in supplier partnerships
  • How customer feedback shapes supplier relationships and product decisions
  • Which trade shows and workshop events CIE Tours values most, and why
  • How Robert and his team decide which suppliers to meet at trade events
  • What makes a supplier presentation stand out from the very first meeting?
  • Which travel trends and traveler behaviours CIE Tours is currently seeing across different destinations.

Who this interview is for

This interview is especially relevant for:

  • Hotels working with escorted tour operators and group travel buyers
  • Destinations and tourist boards looking to strengthen relationships with travel partners
  • Attractions and experience providers targeting North American group travel
  • Suppliers wanting a clearer understanding of how major tour operators assess partnerships
  • Travel industry professionals interested in current trends in escorted touring and international travel demand

Watch the interview below to hear directly from Robert Young about what suppliers can do to build stronger partnerships, deliver better experiences, and stand out in today’s competitive travel market.

]]> https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-insight-interview-robert-young-of-cie-tours/feed/ 0 Buyer Insight Interview: Kat Morga of Adventure Smarter https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-insight-interview-kat-morga-of-adventure-smarter/ https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-insight-interview-kat-morga-of-adventure-smarter/#respond Fri, 01 May 2026 10:01:49 +0000 https://tct.pixels-staging.com/?p=2473

In this video interview, Kat Morga, owner of Adventure Smarter, shares candid insights into how a modern independent travel advisor builds trusted supplier relationships, selects destination management companies (DMCs), and navigates the realities of today’s changing travel landscape.

Drawing on her background in hospitality, project management, and experiential travel design, Kat explains how she evaluates supplier partnerships and why responsiveness and transparency are critical.

What you’ll learn in this interview

● How independent travel advisors evaluate and choose suppliers
● Why responsiveness, communication, and reliability matter more than polished sales pitches
● How Kat balances private experiences with small-group travel for modern travelers
● Why strong supplier relationships are essential to delivering seamless client experiences
● How FAM trips, trade events, and networking shape supplier partnerships and destination knowledge
● What makes a supplier stand out when approaching travel advisors
● How travel advisors assess pricing, value, and client trust when building itineraries
● Which traveler concerns and booking trends are currently shaping international travel demand
● Why content creation and destination expertise play such a key role in modern travel advising

Who this interview is for

This interview is especially relevant for:

● DMCs and tour operators looking to strengthen relationships with independent travel advisors
● Hotels and experience providers targeting North American leisure travelers
● Tourism boards seeking to better understand how advisors select destination partners
● Suppliers wanting insight into the expectations of modern luxury and experiential travel advisors
● Travel industry professionals interested in current booking behaviors, traveler concerns, and supplier-advisor collaboration

Watch the interview above to hear directly from Kat Morga about building trusted partnerships, designing meaningful travel experiences, and adapting to the evolving expectations of today’s travelers.

]]> https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-insight-interview-kat-morga-of-adventure-smarter/feed/ 0 Sustainable Travel Terminology Glossary https://tct.pixels-staging.com/sustainable-travel-terminology-glossary/ https://tct.pixels-staging.com/sustainable-travel-terminology-glossary/#respond Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:32:04 +0000 https://tct.pixels-staging.com/?p=2306 From time to time, it’s great to have someone from outside the travel industry to look in. Elise Parkinson – Click here for Elise’s LinkedIn profile – is a young graduate in sustainable food production. TCT, a comprehensive and dynamic database that includes detailed and constantly updated information on travel companies in your English-speaking markets, gave her the task of exploring sustainability in the travel industry.

Please also see her article “What sustainable and responsible travel really means today”.

Dear reader, if we have missed something out, please do let us know by emailing claire@tct.guide. We will be happy to update our glossary.

B Corps (Certified Benefit Corporations)

Companies verified through rigorous certification processes to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. They include businesses committed to more inclusive, equitable and regenerative practices. These types of companies are increasingly discoverable through travel trade platforms and verified travel company databases used by suppliers to find travel companies aligned with their values. What is a B Corp? – B Lab UK

Carbon Footprint

Total greenhouse gas emissions generated by business activities, measured in carbon dioxide equivalents. Carbon footprints are one way to empirically measure the environmental impact of tourism operations, allowing for reduction targets to be set in order to adhere to net zero targets. This type of data is often included within tourism data insights and travel industry intelligence tools used for outbound travel market analysis. Can be calculated through companies like the World Land Trust and Ecollective. Carbon Footprint Consultants | ecollective Carbon Balanced with World Land Trust

Carbon Offsetting

Projects that reduce or capture greenhouse gas emissions to balance those produced by the tourism industry, such as reforestation or other ecosystem regeneration. Some travel companies choose to create or fund projects directly, while others use carbon credit companies such as Gold Standard to offset emissions. These initiatives are often highlighted within travel trade research tools and supplier trade insights platforms. Gold Standard Marketplace

Community-Based Tourism

Owned, managed, or significantly shaped by the local community of a destination, this kind of travel aims to generate maximum economic, social and cultural benefits for local residents rather than international companies. For travellers, it emphasises meaningful local engagement and authentic cultural experiences, while also supporting supplier-to-buyer travel connections that prioritise local communities. This model is increasingly visible across travel trade partner discovery platforms. What is community based tourism?

DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion)

An approach rooted in fairness and inclusion that ensures all people have equitable treatment, access, opportunities, and pathways for advancement. It involves recognising and removing systemic barriers that limit full participation for certain groups. DEI promotes inclusive practices, equitable structures, and diverse representation across identities such as race, gender, ability, and class. These principles are essential for creating a tourism sector that is genuinely inclusive and fair for everyone, and are increasingly reflected in travel trade engagement strategies and tourism marketing. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Tourism: Beyond Tokenism — Inclusive Travel Forum

Decolonisation

Supporting indigenous sovereignty and ensuring communities control the narrative, experiences and benefits associated with tourism on their lands. This is an important consideration for suppliers seeking to identify outbound travel companies and partners aligned with ethical and responsible tourism values. Tourism and decolonisation: Locating research and self – ScienceDirect

Ecotourism

Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of local people and involves interpretation and education. Ecotourism providers are often featured in travel company databases and tour operator databases used by suppliers looking to find tour operators with sustainability credentials.  GlasgowDeclaration_EN_0.pdf

Glasgow Declaration

A commitment to a decade of tourism climate action. Companies on TCT that are signatories include 50 Degrees North, Adventure Canada and Absolute Escapes. These commitments are increasingly tracked through destination sales intelligence tools and travel data platforms that help suppliers see which travel companies feature them and track who sells their destination.

Leave No Trace

A set of ethics promoting conservation and responsible recreation or travel. As the name suggests, it encourages visitors to leave a natural environment the same way they found it. These principles are often promoted through tourism marketing and travel trade engagement strategies to ensure consistent messaging across supplier and travel company partnership processes. 7 Principles – Leave No Trace

Net Zero

The target to achieve balance between the amount of carbon being released and the amount being sequestered. Net zero is a key component of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Progress towards net zero is increasingly monitored through tourism data insights and travel industry intelligence tools used by suppliers and destinations.  Net Zero Coalition | United Nations

Regenerative Travel

Tourism that actively seeks to restore and renew communities, ecosystems and cultural heritage. This approach goes beyond sustainable travel and is often highlighted in supplier trade insights and destination sales intelligence, helping travel suppliers identify high-value travel buyers aligned with regenerative principles. 20+ Regenerative Tourism Stats & Projects – Original Travel

Responsible Travel

The Cape Town Declaration (2002) outlines responsible tourism as having the following characteristics:

  • minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts
  • generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities
  • involves local people in decisions that affect their lives
  • contributes to conservation of natural and cultural heritage
  • provides meaningful connections for tourists
  • ensures accessibility
  • is culturally sensitive

Responsible travel can take many forms depending on the location and stakeholder priorities, but the environmental, social and economic impacts of tourism must always be managed responsibly. This is the term most frequently used by travel companies across source markets and is widely referenced in travel trade platforms, travel trade partner discovery tools, and supplier-to-buyer travel connections.

Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism – Responsible Tourism Partnership

Slow Travel

A type of travel which encourages travellers to spend more time in fewer places to foster deeper connections with local communities, cultures and environments. It also supports local economies and reduces emissions. Slow travel experiences are often promoted through travel trade sourcing tools and tourism marketing strategies aimed at high-value travel buyers.

Sustainable Travel

Defined by the UN as tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts. This concept underpins many travel trade insights, tourism data insights, and travel industry intelligence tools used by suppliers to better understand outbound travel markets and prepare for travel trade shows. UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer

Tourism Leakage

Revenue from tourism that leaves the destination rather than staying in the local economy. Understanding and reducing leakage is a key focus in outbound travel market analysis and supplier trade insights, helping destinations maximise value from travel trade partnerships. Economic Leakage In Tourism: What Is It, And What Can Travel Brands Do About It?

Tourism Linkages

The links between the tourism industry and other sectors of the local economy such as agriculture, transportation and services. Strong linkages are essential for building effective supplier and travel company partnership processes and are often analysed using travel trade research tools and travel data platforms. A comprehensive literature review of theoretical and empirical aspects of economic linkages intourism destinations | Tourism Critiques | Emerald Publishing

Voluntourism

Combines travel with hands-on volunteering for meaningful service to a community. Platforms like WWOOF and Worldpackers connect travellers with volunteer opportunities. These experiences are often included in travel company databases and can be identified by suppliers looking to find travel companies or tour operators offering purpose-driven travel. Worldpackers: Work Exchange, Volunteer Abroad, Gap Year. 

]]> https://tct.pixels-staging.com/sustainable-travel-terminology-glossary/feed/ 0 Buyer Insight Interview: Jamie Bachrach, Owner and Travel Advisor, Wandering Puffin https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-insight-interview-jamie-bachrach-owner-and-travel-advisor-wandering-puffin/ https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-insight-interview-jamie-bachrach-owner-and-travel-advisor-wandering-puffin/#respond Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:56:50 +0000 https://tct.pixels-staging.com/?p=2309 Jamie Bachrach, Owner and Travel Advisor at Wandering Puffin, shares practical insights into how he builds trips, works with partners, and decides which suppliers earn his trust.

With nearly 30 years in the travel industry, Jamie brings a distinctive perspective shaped by his background in education, independent travel advising, and extensive firsthand travel. In this interview, he talks about how clients come to him with very different ideas and expectations, why trusted local partners are so important, and what suppliers need to do to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

What you’ll learn in this interview

  • How Jamie’s journey into travel began, and how it has shaped the way he works today
  • Who his clients are, and what they typically come to him for
  • How clients approach travel planning, and how he helps shape their ideas into successful trips
  • How he chooses which trade events to attend, and what makes them worthwhile
  • How he works with DMCs compared with direct suppliers when building itineraries
  • Whether supplier relationships can be built online, or still depend on meeting in person
  • What makes a supplier stand out and earn his attention
  • What success looks like for him in the travel industry today

Who this interview is for

This interview is especially relevant for:

Hotels looking to build stronger relationships with travel advisors
DMCs and receptive operators wanting to better understand how advisors choose partners
Attractions, guides, and experience providers targeting customised travel programmes
Suppliers seeking more effective ways to approach experienced travel buyers

Watch the interview below to hear directly from Jamie about what matters most when building trusted partnerships in travel.

]]> https://tct.pixels-staging.com/buyer-insight-interview-jamie-bachrach-owner-and-travel-advisor-wandering-puffin/feed/ 0 How TCT Enables Confident, Strategic Outreach https://tct.pixels-staging.com/how-tct-enables-confident-strategic-outreach/ https://tct.pixels-staging.com/how-tct-enables-confident-strategic-outreach/#respond Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:23:17 +0000 https://tct.pixels-staging.com/?p=2068 Successful partnerships in the travel trade are built on relevance; understanding how your product aligns with what travel companies (also widely known as tour operators) offer.  

For tourism suppliers, the challenge is knowing which travel companies to approach, what they currently feature, and how to position your offering to demonstrate genuine fit. 

TCT (Travel Company Tracker) was built to solve exactly this. We’re a B2B database and analysis platform designed to help you identify and approach travel companies that align with your business strategy. 

Our extensive database provides detailed information on travel companies across seven major source markets (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa). With easy-to-use search and filtering options, you can see which travel companies programme your destination, what traveller types they serve, what special interests they focus on, and whether they reference your organisation, a capability uniquely available on TCT. 

This visibility helps you save time, enhance your sales strategy, and move to strategic conversations based on a clear fit. 

How Travel Companies Build Their Programmes 

Travel companies take a structured approach to destination selection. Every product they include is the result of deliberate programming decisions, shaped by clear criteria and strategic intent. 

When travel companies curate their portfolios, they’re evaluating fit across multiple dimensions: 

  • Target traveller profiles 
  • Itinerary structure and flow 
  • Commercial positioning 
  • Regional depth and portfolio balance 

Each inclusion must serve the wider programme. It’s not about whether your accommodation, transportation or experience is good, but it’s about whether it’s right for what they’re building. 

Suppliers who understand this framework position themselves as partners solving specific programming needs. This is where TCT provides an advantage. You can see which travel companies already programme your destination and understand their focus before you make contact. 

What You Can See with TCT 

TCT analyses travel companies across major source markets (UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa). Our data is refreshed regularly, ensuring you’re working with the most up-to-date information. 

 This shows you: 

  • Which destinations travel companies actively sell 
    Check if they have your destination programmed. 
  • Whether they reference your organisation 
    TCT is the only platform that shows you which travel companies already reference, feature, or include your organisation, giving you visibility into who is already talking about you or selling you. 
  • What traveller types they serve 
    Understand if they focus on groups, individual travellers (FIT), or both. 
  • What special interests they cover 
    See their focus areas: wellness, adventure, culinary, family, luxury, etc. 

You get access to pre-analysed profiles, saving you hours of manual website research. You can identify which travel companies programme your destination, understand their focus, and see where potential alignment exists, all before making contact. 

How This Changes Your Outreach 

When outreach is informed by referencing, the entire nature of the conversation shifts. 

You can speak to: 

  • Their specific programme focus and portfolio structure 
  • How your product complements what they already feature 
  • Where your offering supports their commercial goals 

This level of preparation fundamentally changes how you’re perceived. You’re opening a conversation about a specific opportunity that already has context. 

Buyers can tell within seconds whether a supplier understands their business. When you demonstrate genuine insight into their programming strategy, you’re proposing a fit that merits discussion. 

Why This Approach Improves Partnership Outcomes 

When you approach the right companies for the right reasons, grounded in an understanding of their actual needs, the entire dynamic shifts. 

You gain: 

  • More productive meetings at shows 
  • Faster progression from introduction to commercial discussion 
  • Reduced time spent on misaligned prospects 
  • Stronger, longer-term partnerships 

This efficiency compounds over time. By aligning your approach with how companies already build their programmes, you remove the friction that can stall supplier relationships before they begin. 

Build Partnerships on Evidence 

In today’s travel trade environment, effective outreach is about reaching the right companies. 

TCT gives you visibility into which travel companies programme your destination, reference your organisation, and what they focus on. 

Every conversation you initiate is grounded in evidence of alignment: they programme your destination, they serve relevant traveller types, their special-interest focus matches what you offer, and you can see whether they already reference your organisation. 

When you start from a position of proven fit, partnerships develop more naturally. This is what TCT was built to deliver: the clarity and confidence to approach travel trade partnerships strategically. 

Discover more at tct.guide 

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