Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based Director operating in the Tourism space. If you think a Director is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Toby Horry
Brand and Content Director of TUI Group
Toby Horry is the brand and content director at TUI.
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About TUI Group: TUI Group is an international tourism and hospitality organization that offers a range of tour, flights, cruises, and more.
John Jakobsen
Managing Director of Merlin Entertainments
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About Merlin Entertainments: Merlin Entertainments is the largest European entertainments company operating in Europe.
David Paice
Digital Director of Merlin Entertainments
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About Merlin Entertainments: Merlin Entertainments is the largest European entertainments company operating in Europe.
Elliott Pritchard
Online Marketing Director of Avis Budget Group
Elliott is directly responsible for Avis Budget Group International marketing strategy. Recently, Elliott has led an initiative to target continued growth in an increasingly competitive market by investing in advertising to increase brand awareness and attract a broader audience of customers across all markets. Elliott pioneered a campaign which deliberately uses clichéd stock footage and celebrates the long research process, encouraging consumers to make Travel Republic “The Last Click” for the holiday they want at the best price, guaranteed – best placing him to discuss innovation in attribution modelling.
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About Avis Budget Group: Avis Budget Group offers professionals and individuals with vehicle rental and sharing services.
Jonno Elliott
Investment Director of Virgin Management
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About Virgin Management: We support the Branson family and the growth of the Virgin brand by developing and nurturing valuable Virgin businesses.
Daniel Spinath
Founder & Managing Director of Crepeaffaire
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About Crepeaffaire, Entertainment Ventures Group International, Frizzenti, Liberation Cocktails, Tap: Crêpeaffaire offers freshly prepared crêpes, waffles, coffees and smoothies.
Francesca Howland
Co-founder, CEO, Director of Bimble
Entrepreneur and all that jazz.
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About Bimble: Bimble is the app for great, little places. Peer-to-peer place recommendations from around the world.
Ethan Dang
Technical Director of Tubudd
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About Tubudd: Tubudd is an innovative platform that offers a unique and limitless service of connecting individuals traveling to Vietnam to local people.
Jason Anastasinis
Managing Director of TravelStaytion
Jason Anastasinis is a Managing Director at TravelStaytion.
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About TravelStaytion: TravelStaytion is an online holiday rental marketplace, enables its users to list their spare property or get accommodation at lower prices.
Wayne Pollard
Account Director of Sabre Corporation
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About Sabre Corporation: Sabre Corporation is a U.S.-based travel technology company providing software solutions to the travel industry.
Meera Depala
Finance Director and Head Of Finance of Native
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About Native: Native specializes in service apartments, corporate housing, graduate and large program housing, holiday lets, and property management.
Michele N. Maher
Director of Financial Control of Hogg Robinson Group plc
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About Hogg Robinson Group plc: Hogg Robinson Group is a global corporate services provider, travel management company and technology company.
Matt Smith
Co-Founder and Director of Black Tomato
Matt Smith set up Black Tomato Ltd with Tom Marchant and James Merrett in 2005 and to date have had a broad strategic and operational remit across all areas of Black Tomato. Central to Matt’s role is the responsibility for both driving forward the day to day business operations and Business Development / Sales processes that have underpinned the Group’s commercial success and significant growth. I also oversees a number of critical areas of the business including, Office Infrastructure, Company /Staff Culture, IT, Security, Data Protection/GDPR, HR, H&S / F&S, Insurance, Legal Contracting , Procurement, Staff / Business expenses, Staff Reward / Engagement, Staff Training and Staff Meetings and Events. Alongside this, he leads critical strategic projects including those that increase profitability and productivity across the business in line with the constant reinforcement of BT’s ‘purpose’ and company culture both internally and externally.
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About Black Tomato: Black Tomato is a bespoke luxury travel company that delivers imaginative and travel experiences around the world.
Daniel Yates
Managing Director and Founder of Pitchup.com
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About Pitchup.com: Making it a doddle to book campsites in 65 countries. Member of Financial Times FT1000 fastest-growing companies in Europe 2018/19/20.
John O’Sullivan
Managing Director of Depot Adventures
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About Depot Adventures: Depot Adventures is a walking tour operator that offers a variety of free and paid walking tours.
John Aby Olival
Finance Director of Firefly Experience (Firef.ly)
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About Firefly Experience (Firef.ly): Illuminating Journeys. Firef.ly is a mobile app which distils trip planning, guiding and journalling into a beautiful experience.
John Aby Olival
Finance Director of Firefly Experience (Firef.ly)
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About Firefly Experience (Firef.ly): Illuminating Journeys. Firef.ly is a mobile app which distils trip planning, guiding and journalling into a beautiful experience.
Nick Bingham
Director of Business Development of Gamar
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About Gamar: Easily scan and map your surroundings to create natural interactions with 3D augmented reality and increase engagement & footfall.
Lavanya Naga
Director of Experience Design of Gamar
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About Gamar: Easily scan and map your surroundings to create natural interactions with 3D augmented reality and increase engagement & footfall.
Matthew Mears
Founder and Director of Temple Cycles
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About Temple Cycles: Temple Cycles design, produce and sell a range of bicycles from its Bristol-based workshop.
Sarah Stanley
Founder and Director of Unique Home Stays
Sarah Stanley is the Founder and Director of Unique Home Stays.
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About Unique Home Stays: Unique Home Stays is a leisure company that develops and innovates a unique portfolio of luxury private homestays.
Craig Whitney
Non Executive Director of Sceneit
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About CyberLaunch, Sceneit, Tech Connections: Sceneit is software that helps to plan, book tours, activities, travel and accommodation also to find filming locations all over the world.
Cavid Nadirov
Co-Founder & Director of GETGUIDED
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About GETGUIDED: GETGUIDED is capturing uncaptured data in tours & activities industry by bringing offline players to online using innovative tech solutions.
Angela Wilson
Director of Blue Bay Travel
she a Director of ‘Blue Bay Travel’ I am responsible for Team Training, Accounts and Finance. My background is in retail area management and I firmly believe that internet shoppers still prefer the benefits of speaking to a helpful and knowledgeable individual whilst making such important decisions as to where to spend their hard earned holiday time and money. Much of my time is spent working to improve the knowledge of the team by organising events involving Hoteliers, Tourist Boards & Tour Operators.
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About Blue Bay Travel: Blue Bay Travel is the award-winning online travel agent
Angela Wilson
Director of Blue Bay Travel
she a Director of ‘Blue Bay Travel’ I am responsible for Team Training, Accounts and Finance. My background is in retail area management and I firmly believe that internet shoppers still prefer the benefits of speaking to a helpful and knowledgeable individual whilst making such important decisions as to where to spend their hard earned holiday time and money. Much of my time is spent working to improve the knowledge of the team by organising events involving Hoteliers, Tourist Boards & Tour Operators.
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About Blue Bay Travel: Blue Bay Travel is the award-winning online travel agent
Aris Spiliotopoulos
Director & Co-Founder of LuxOlympus Mayfair
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About LuxOlympus Mayfair: LuxOlympus Mayfair is a boutique Travel Agency authorized and regulated by the TTA (Travel Trust Association).
Aris Spiliotopoulos
Director & Co-Founder of LuxOlympus Mayfair
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About LuxOlympus Mayfair: LuxOlympus Mayfair is a boutique Travel Agency authorized and regulated by the TTA (Travel Trust Association).
Yan Zhang
Founder & Managing Director of Glamorous Travel
Yan Zhang is a Founder & Managing Director at Glamorous Travel.
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About Glamorous Travel: Glamorous Travel is a U.K.-based tour operator that provides special interest tour packages and programs for Chinese nationals.
Yan Zhang
Founder & Managing Director of Glamorous Travel
Yan Zhang is a Founder & Managing Director at Glamorous Travel.
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About Glamorous Travel: Glamorous Travel is a U.K.-based tour operator that provides special interest tour packages and programs for Chinese nationals.
