Tour operator Carrier has revealed its list of the “most inspiring and influential” agents in luxury travel. 

The Carrier 30 list features 30 people and businesses deemed by the operator as leading the way in the high-end travel sector. 

The brand said the list, being announced in place of its annual agent awards event, paid “homage to inspiring business leaders, exceptional travel designers and small companies who, despite the challenges of 2020, have continued to deliver outstanding levels of service and support to their clients”.

Split between five categories dependent on the agent’s role and business model, the list was compiled by a panel at Carrier using set criteria. 

Those featured on the list are being given a full suite of marketing collateral to help them promote themselves. The tools created include personalised digital resources that can be adapted, images, banners and suggested marketing messages.

Carrier will also be promoting The Carrier 30 and the winners on social media channels and to its email database. 

Carrier head of sales Rick Milne said: “We are delighted to name The Carrier 30; there’s no denying this has been a challenging year for the whole industry, but some of our agent partners have responded to the crisis with an unprecedented level of integrity, putting their clients’ needs first at all times, and with such determination to continue elevating their service levels at even the most difficult of times. 

“Throughout the pandemic we have seen the value in businesses that take a human approach to their customers and staff, and we believe it is important to highlight these people, especially now when many clients will be looking to book holidays with companies who have done the right thing over the past 12 months.

The Carrier 30 winners list is as follows:

The Luminaries – the luxury travel industry’s most successful directors and leaders, that inspire their teams and run businesses of true scale.

Amanda Matthews & Karen Pocock, Designer Travel

James Turner, 360 Private Travel

Rob & Sarah Kenton, Triangle Travel

Sam Mullen, Quintessentially Travel

Wayne Pollock, Wayne Pollock Exclusive Luxury

The Future Retailers – the retail travel brands who are redefining the retail experience for their customers. These businesses have prominent locations in upscale neighbourhoods with innovative store design.

Beaver Travel

More Travel

Small World Travel

Travel Bureau

Travelwise

Ultimate Destinations

Wetherby Travel 

The Innovators – travel professionals who break the mould in terms of their approach. They favour a less conventional model and use their first-hand experience and social media engagement to influence their networks.

Clare Levy, Different Planet Travel

Dan Salmon, Never a Wasted Journey

Emma Mackley, Emma Mackley Private Travel

Jen Lonergan, The Luxury Traveller

Lara Cutting, Lara Cutting Private Travel

Nadine Lear, Lear Travel 

The Connoisseurs – the people that offer something totally unique and exclusive. Their discreet businesses focus on servicing a select number of highly valuable, affluent clients and they take personal service to another level.

Gin Ford, Future Travel Group

John Warrington, Janaway Travel

Joy Sellers, Travel Counsellors

Henry Neame, Place to Place Travel

Quality Travel

Tarporley Travel

The Rising Stars – the business owners that have raised their profile in the luxury travel industry last year, further enhancing their reputation in the sector through their personal service, proactive marketing and social media presence.

Donna Cody, Not Just Travel

Emma Frearson, Midcounties Co-op

Julie Harrison, Bespoke Luxury Travel

Neil Pirie, Generation Travel

Sara Greene, Travel Counsellors

Suzanne Powell-Edwards, Travel Counsellors