July 2023

Tia - "tomorrow's travel leader" after making 30 Under 30

By Melanie Hall

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A graduate who is soaring in an incredible career with a global attractions company on the back of her university internship is ready to “make waves” after being recognised in the travel industry’s prestigious 30 Under 30.

Tia Ghai, who studied International Hospitality Management MSc at the University, has been named in TTG Media’s 2023 list of ones to watch, with the judges panel proclaiming her one of “tomorrow’s travel leaders”.

An excelling student, she started making her mark during her master’s, when she was selected for the University’s intern scheme with Attraction World Group (AWG), before being hired part-time by the company a few months later.

A year on, the role was made permanent and Tia took on responsibility for two key destinations, Poland and Iceland. With rave reviews from partners in the territories she handled, she was then promoted to product manager for Europe in December 2022 at the age of just 24.

"I had fantastic, supportive lecturers throughout and opportunities which allowed me to thrive, including ITT Future You events and meeting inspirational leaders who showed me possibilities in the travel industry."

Tia Ghai International Hospitality Management MSc

Tia’s career has gone from strength to strength and she is now working on a new project, using her own knowledge and experience to head up the AWG Internship Programme, searching for the next leaders in the industry.

She has also been asked by ITT Future You to be a panellist and speaker at the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) Conference in Qatar 2023.

Tia said: “Being selected for the TTG 30 Under 30 is such an incredible privilege.

“I am so surprised and humbled to have been selected by the wonderful judges. To come this far in such a short time after graduating with my master’s from University College Birmingham is amazing. I am still in utter shock.

“I can't wait to spend time with all the other wonderful 30 under 30 and make waves in the industry.”

Tia Ghai is one of TTG Media's 2023 30 Under 30

Up against the best

More than 100 nominations and entries from across the travel industry came in for this year’s group, which is supported by headline partner Tui, as well as TTG’s partner ITT.

Nominating Tia, Attraction World Group’s Martyn Sansom said: “TTG’s 30 under 30 will provide Tia with the platform to inspire future generations and help to push for grassroots talent. It will also increase her profile amongst peers in the industry, allowing people to see the star she is becoming.”

Kathryn Hayat, Head of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism at the University, said: “Tia took part in our Attraction World intern scheme and has had an amazing two-year career already.

“I am very proud to have an alumna in this year’s TTG 30 under 30, it’s big news in the travel industry.”

Tia said she couldn’t have achieved what she had without the “wonderful” support from University College Birmingham.

“I had fantastic, supportive lecturers throughout and opportunities which allowed me to thrive, including ITT Future You events and meeting inspirational leaders who showed me possibilities in the travel industry. And I wouldn’t have made connections with Attraction World Group without the University.

“I’d particularly like to thank Kathryn Hayat, Helen Joyner-Harris, Olga Kampaxi and Michelle Callanan for their support during my master’s degree.”

Benefits of being in TTG’s 30 Under 30

TTG Media’s judging panel included CEO Daniel Pearce, who said: “There are so many benefits to the 30 Under 30 programme.

"Our 30 receive invites to exclusive dinners and social events, they become members of the ITT and AWTE, they are profiled in TTG and perhaps the biggest advantage of all is the networking that happens between the 30 themselves – we see business relationships and genuine friendships form.”

Tui’s Richard Sofer added: “At Tui, we are passionate about growing talent, supporting individuals through their personal development and helping our future leaders reach their full potential. Why? Because nurturing talent is the right thing to do – for the individual, their organisation and the industry as a whole.”

Also on the judging panel were two former members of the TTG 30 Under 30, Ally Ware from Charitable Travel and Megan Smith from Royal Caribbean, plus TTG’s managing director Matt Roclawski, features editor Katherine Masters and customer success manager Angie Jackson.

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