Travelpack’s Vishal Patel voted in as new Tipto chairman

Travelpack director Vishal Patel has taken on the role of Tipto chairman.

Patel takes over the reins from previous chairman Nick Hughes, who has stepped down early following his appointment as director of growth for G Adventures, which is not a Tipto member.

He will steer the trade marketing body through the final months of the current Tipto year, which finishes at the end of August, and for its 27th year, from September, 2025. Usually new chairs start in September for a minimum two-year tenure.

Patel, who is well known in the trade, has been a member of Tipto’s leadership team for the past six years and has more than 20 years’ experience in the travel industry.

Travelpack has been a member of Tipto since 2015 and is a strong supporter of travel agents through its training, marketing and campaigns, with Patel overseeing all departments in his role at the company.

Patel said: “It’s an honour to take on the role of Tipto chairman. Supporting the travel trade has always been at the centre of what we do at Travelpack, and I look forward to continuing that ethos in this chair role.”

He added: “Tipto offers an unrivalled training environment for agents across the UK and Ireland, and as this is an area close to my heart, I can’t wait to begin supporting Titp supplier members as they continue to deliver meaningful and engaging Face2Face training content.

“Stepping into the chairman role comes with great thanks to Nick Hughes, who passes me the baton after another unprecedented year of growth.”

Hughes said: “I couldn’t be handing the Tipto baton to a better chair. I’m delighted Vishal has been voted in to hold the reins across the next year.

“He embodies everything that Tipto stands for and as an engaged, respected face within the industry, he knows Tipto inside out and holds a proved track record not only with its supplier members but also the UK’s agent community as a whole.

“As I step down from the chairman position, I can honestly say I have thoroughly enjoyed the role a second time around. I know Tipto will continue its upwards trajectory as an unbeatable resource for the industry.”

Tipto is in its 26th year of operation with 25 members including: Abercrombie & Kent / Cox & Kings, AmaWaterways, Ambassador Cruise Line, Blue Diamond Resorts, CroisiEurope, Do Something Different, DriveAway, Exoticca, Fred Holidays, Gold Medal, Holiday Extras, Hurtigruten, Intrepid, JG Travel Group, Leger Shearings Group, Newmarket Holidays, Playa Hotels & Resorts, RateHawk, RCD Hotels, Red Sea Holidays, Scenic & Emerald Cruises, Titan, Travelpack, USAirtours, and Virgin Voyages.