Travel Connection Group

What Travel Connection Group does

Travel Connection Group (TCG) is a privately held, founder-operated travel industry media events management company founded in 2017 by Howard Salinger and based in Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom. The company serves two primary customer groups: travel PR and marketing representatives from brands, destinations, and tourism organizations, and travel media professionals (journalists, editors, influencers) seeking industry connections. TCG positions itself as the specialist alternative to London-centric industry events by deliberately hosting flagship activities outside the capital and operating a year-round community membership, explicitly targeting the gap for non-London-based travel PRs and journalists.

The company's product portfolio centers on three assets. Media Getaway is an annual multi-day networking event held in a rotating UK city (Manchester 2022, Leeds 2023, Glasgow 2024, Chester 2025, Newcastle 2026, Aberdeen 2027), bringing together roughly 200 travel PR and media professionals in a Connection Zone marketplace where delegates can book up to 17 one-on-one meetings with attending journalists. TravYule is an annual London Christmas party held in late November, incorporating The Baubles industry awards across 13 categories. The Travel PR Association (TPRA), rebranded from the Social with Media programme in 2024, is a membership organization providing year-round programming including a Connection Hub platform, monthly Zoom In Bites webinars, quarterly London Zoom Out networking events, and the Embargo podcast on Apple and Spotify. The company does not run a proprietary technology stack; ticketing uses buytickets.at and registration relies on Google Forms, while the AI Photo Partner feature at TravYule appears to use third-party generative image services.

TCG monetizes through three primary streams: per-delegate event fees (e.g., £1,200+VAT for the first Media Getaway delegate, £800+VAT for a second from the same brand), tiered event sponsorship packages (Headline Partner £12,000 down to Individual Awards Sponsor £3,000), and TPRA membership subscriptions (with travel media admitted free of charge). With 1–10 employees and no disclosed external funding, the business is a lean, founder-driven venture supported by an annual events calendar and a recurring membership base. Pricing is publicly disclosed, ticket and registration distribution is self-serve, and sponsorship is sold direct. TCG cites a TPRA subscriber base of 40+ organizations spanning tourism boards (Austria, Ireland, Cyprus, Portugal), travel brands (Expedia, MSC, Princess Cruises, Sun Siyam), and PR agencies (Finn Partners, Lemongrass, Rooster).

Name

Travel Connection Group

Legal name

Travel Connection Group

Website

https://travelconnectiongroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Travel Connection Group is a UK-based travel industry media events specialist founded in 2017 by Howard Salinger. It operates Media Getaway, TravYule, and the Travel PR Association (TPRA), connecting travel PR professionals with travel journalists through annual events and year-round membership programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Management Services

NAICS

Other Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services (56159)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Travel Deal, Loyalty & Subscription Platforms (BPAMAIAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Customer Engagement & Messaging Platforms (In-App, WhatsApp/RCS, Chat) (THALAKAH), Meetings & Group Travel Management (Corporate/MICE) (THALANAH)

Keywords

• Travel media networking
• Industry event management
• Membership association services
• B2B event sponsorship
• Travel PR networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Hemel Hempstead

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Event Delegate Fees: PR representatives and travel brands pay delegate fees to attend Media Getaway and TravYule events. Delegate fees cover attendance, food, beverages, and for Media Getaway, also cover accommodation costs for attending media to ensure more journalists can attend.
2. Sponsorship and Partnership Packages: Travel brands and destinations can sponsor events at various levels (Headline Partner £12,000, Food and Drink Partner £8,000, Media Host £6,000, Welcome Drink Sponsor £5,000, Individual Awards Sponsor £3,000). Sponsorship includes brand visibility, speaking opportunities, free tickets, and contact details of attendees.
3. TPRA Membership: The Travel PR Association offers membership to travel PRs with tiered options. Membership includes Connection Hub access, events calendar, WhatsApp community, Zoom In Bites webinars, Zoom Out networking events, Embargo podcast, and discounts on event delegate prices. Travel media can join for free.
4. Event Tickets: TravYule tickets sold at £150 (+VAT) for general industry/PRs, £100 (+VAT) for TPRA members, and £30 (+VAT) for media. Christmas-themed names receive 10% discount.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Travel Connection Group connects travel companies, brands, and PR agencies with travel media through organized events and a membership organization. Core offerings include Media Getaway (annual three-day networking event held outside London), TravYule (annual London Christmas party incorporating The Baubles awards), and the Travel PR Association (TPRA) membership providing year-round networking through Connection Hub, webinars, and quarterly networking events.

Product overview

Travel Connection Group operates as a travel industry media events management company offering a portfolio of products and membership programs. The core offerings include Media Getaway (an annual multi-day networking event connecting travel brands with media) and TravYule (an annual Christmas party with The Baubles awards). The company also manages the Travel PR Association (TPRA), a membership organization providing year-round connection opportunities through the Connection Hub platform, Zoom In Bites webinars, Zoom Out quarterly networking events, and the Embargo podcast. The portfolio is structured as a platform-plus-events model where the membership program provides ongoing value while flagship events serve as anchor moments for the travel PR and media community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Media Getaway Annual three-day travel industry networking event held outside London, bringing together travel PR representatives from global brands with UK and Irish travel media. Features formal networking through the Connection Zone marketplace where delegates can hold up to 17 one-on-one meetings with attending media, plus informal networking through press trips and evening events. Delegate fees start at £1,200 (+VAT) for first delegate and £800 (+VAT) for second delegate, with tiered sponsorship packages ranging from £3,000 to £12,000.
• TravYule Annual travel industry Christmas party held in London each November, incorporating The Baubles awards ceremony with 13 categories. Features tiered sponsorship packages from Headline Partner at £12,000 to Individual Awards Sponsor at £3,000, plus ticket sales at £150 (+VAT) for general industry, £100 (+VAT) for TPRA members, and £30 (+VAT) for media. Includes AI Photo Partner feature for generating branded AI images.
• Travel PR Association (TPRA) Membership Membership organization for travel PR professionals offering year-round connectivity with travel journalists. Benefits include Connection Hub, Events Calendar, WhatsApp community, Zoom In Bites monthly webinars, Zoom Out quarterly London networking events, Embargo podcast, and up to 15% discount on Media Getaway and TravYule delegate fees. Tiered membership options with Core Membership required for Zoom Out access. Travel media can join for free; travel PRs pay membership fees.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 200 travel and media professionals attend Media Getaway events
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Meet BostoncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 June 2026Meet Boston participated as a networking event host at Media Getaway 2026 in Newcastle, hosting a networking event at Fire bar at Hotel Gotham.
• Algarve TourismcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 June 2026Algarve Tourism participated in Media Getaway 2026 as an international tourism organization exhibiting at the event.
• Destination CanadacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 June 2026Destination Canada participated in Media Getaway 2026 as an international tourism organization exhibiting at the event.
• Tourism IrelandcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 June 2026Tourism Ireland participated in Media Getaway 2026 as an international tourism organization exhibiting at the event.
• Visit OrlandocoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 June 2026Visit Orlando participated in Media Getaway 2026 as an international tourism organization exhibiting at the event.
• St James' ParkcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 June 2026St James' Park (home of Newcastle United) hosted the Connection Zone - the media marketplace where travel companies held 1:1 meetings with attending media.
• KynrenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 June 2026Kynren hosted the spectacular closing reception for Media Getaway 2026, providing entertainment and venue for the final event.
• Experience North East EnglandflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 June 2026Experience North East England is the host destination for Media Getaway 2026 in Newcastle, coordinating regional tourism promotion and hosting responsibilities.
• Newcastle International AirportflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 June 2026Newcastle International Airport served as headline sponsor for Media Getaway 2026, providing support for the regional event.
• Tyneside CinemaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 June 2026Tyneside Cinema hosted the welcome reception for Media Getaway 2026 on June 15th, providing venue for the opening event.
• Hotel GothamminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 June 2026Hotel Gotham (5-star) hosted the networking event with Meet Boston at their Fire bar, serving as accommodation partner for the event.
• Visit PortugalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 February 2026Visit Portugal hosted the TPRA Zoom Out event on February 3rd, 2026, at the Portuguese Ambassador's Residence in London.
• BarbadoscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2025Barbados sponsored the AI Photo Area at TravYule 2026, creating AI images linked to the destination.
• Princess CruisescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 December 2025Princess Cruises sponsored the AI Photo Area at TravYule 2026 alongside Barbados, providing additional sponsorship for the photo opportunity.
• The HippodromecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 June 2025The Hippodrome Casino in London hosted TPRA Zoom Out events, including the June 10th, 2025 event held on the Gods Terrace.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Skift: Skift is a travel industry media and events business producing research, newsletters, and the Skift Forum. Its combination of media content, membership, and high-profile travel industry events parallels TCG's platform-plus-events model in the travel PR/media space.
• TravMedia: TravMedia operates travel PR/media events and a news distribution platform connecting travel PRs with journalists globally, including international summits. It is the closest direct peer to TCG's Media Getaway and TPRA, addressing the same B2B matchmaking niche.
• Travel Daily Media: Travel Daily Media is a B2B travel trade publication and events operator targeting travel industry professionals including PRs and suppliers. Its combination of editorial content and industry events makes it a comparable peer to TCG's media-and-events offering.
• TTG Media: TTG Media is a UK-based travel trade media brand covering the travel industry with associated events and awards. It is comparable to TCG as a UK travel trade media-and-events operator with overlapping audience of travel PRs, brands, and agents.

Broad incumbents

• ITB Berlin: ITB Berlin is a major global travel trade show operated by Messe Berlin. It serves the same travel brand and destination marketing exhibitors that TCG targets via Media Getaway, but at significantly larger international scale.
• Phocuswright: Phocuswright is an established travel industry research and events company producing flagship conferences and research subscriptions for the global travel industry. It overlaps with TCG's B2B events and subscription model at a broader, more research-oriented scale.
• World Travel Market (WTM): WTM is one of the world's largest travel trade exhibitions run by RX (Reed Exhibitions). While much larger and broader in scope than Media Getaway, it competes for travel industry marketing budgets and serves overlapping exhibitor and PR audiences.

Others

• Eventbrite: Eventbrite is a leading self-serve ticketing and event management platform. It is adjacent rather than directly competitive, but is a relevant comparable because TCG relies on third-party event registration tools (e.g., buytickets.at, tickettailor) and could face platform-level disruption from Eventbrite-style players expanding into niche verticals.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TravConGroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/travelconnectiongroupuk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/travelconnectiongroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Travel Connection Group