Minty Highway Consulting

23/04/2026

Western Australia. Where do I even start?

Five weeks in Australia, combining precious time with my son Jet at the end of his six-month adventure - and three of those weeks on the road together in Western Australia. A trip that became one of the most rewarding of my professional and personal life.

I first visited Australia 34 years ago and fell in love with it then. Since working increasingly closely with the destination over recent years, I knew a proper recce was long overdue. This felt like the perfect time.

We picked up our campervan and headed south from Perth, Western Australia - Busselton, Dunsborough, and then Margaret River, which genuinely surprised me with its depth and quality.

The Backyard Stories Experience at Swings and Roundabouts is something I will be recommending without hesitation. As was a morning on the Cape to Cape Track with Cape to Cape Explorer Tours and guide Andrew, whose knowledge and passion for that landscape was infectious.

Further south, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse - where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet is simply one of those places that stops you in your tracks. And then Esperance, Western Australia. I wasn't prepared for Esperance. The beaches, the light, the sheer peaceful beauty of the place. One of the most beautiful places I have been fortunate enough to visit. The drive is absolutely worth it.

Back in Perth, a week of great experiences - dolphins with Perth Wildlife Encounters at Penguin Island, Cottesloe Beach, Kings Park, Fremantle (and the great For The Record Coffee House ), Aussie rules at Optus Stadium (go Fremantle Dockers🏉) and the unique and wonderful Rottnest Island.

A huge thank you to James at Anzcro and especially to Joanna at Tourism Western Australia (UK) - her insight, time and introductions made all the difference.

Western Australia is exceptional. If you are an agent who isn't already talking to your clients about it, you should be. And if you are a destination or experience provider looking to connect with the UK market, let's talk.

Watch out for my equally enthusiastic piece on Tasmania - a destination that completely blew me away and deserves every word.

Australia.com Swings & Roundabouts Margaret River Western Australia Tourism Western AustraliaRottnest Island, Western AustraliaThe Goose Beach Bar + Kitchen

27/06/2025

A busy few days – and all the better for the brilliant people, places and conversations.

Thanks to Exsus Travel for a fantastic afternoon at The Shard London - a lovely chance to celebrate, catch up with industry friends, and toast some well-deserved wins.

And to Nordic Travel Solutions for two memorable midsummer events - starting with the privilege of being welcomed into the Finnish Ambassador’s residence to learn more about this fascinating country and join in their summer traditions.

Then a brilliant evening with Visit Estonia, reuniting with some wonderful folk I recently met in this beautiful country, and meeting new hotels, partners and contacts who are helping shape its future.

Also… first visit to the The Mandrake Hotel. What a vibe.

Unique Hotels EstoniaNordic Hotel ForumNordictourismcollectiveVISIT FINLAND🇫🇮FinnairLuxury Dream Holidays

08/06/2025

I’m always encouraging the brilliant travel professionals I work with to write about their experiences in a personal, engaging way… so I thought it was only fair to try to practise what I preach 🙂

A few weeks ago, Jo and I headed to Estonia 🇪🇪 for a personal adventure, with huge thanks to Nordic Travel Solutions and Visit Estonia for helping create a trip full of scenery, adventure, food, and people that left us both asking: why hadn’t we done this before?

From brown bear watching and bog walks to kayaking under a Baltic sunset and exploring the vibrant streets of Tallinn, it was a trip that seriously over-delivered.

If you'd like to read about it, here's the story ...

https://bit.ly/4dN39h6

12/05/2025

What a privilege it’s been to organise the 3rd exclusive Minty Highway educational trip, this time in partnership with Nordic Travel Solutions and Visit Estonia.

Estonia 🇪🇪 truly impressed us - an incredible destination, inspiring people, and exceptional hosts. The group of brilliant travel experts I had the pleasure of travelling with made it even more special.

It was a real buzz to watch everyone’s genuine surprise and delight at what we experienced… and what an itinerary we packed into just four days!

A huge thank you to everyone involved for the kindness, welcome, and fun.

More to come soon with a closer look at this fantastic trip as well as my own one just a couple of weeks ago.

I can't wait for the hat-trick.

Jo Shayler HolidaysGillian Stewart HolidaysLuxury Dream HolidaysMerv. Travel Four SeasonsJenny Davis HolidaysUltimate Destinations UKHedon SPA & HotelMuhu VeinitaluUnique Hotels EstoniaVisit SaaremaaRadioHÄRG Restoran/RestaurantGOSPA / Georg Ots Spa hotellSaaremaa VeskiMon Ami

01/05/2025

From the moment the much-missed Jennie Carr introduced me to Estonia at The Association of Touring & Adventure Suppliers - ATAS in autumn 2023, I had a feeling it was something special - and five full days there last week confirmed that.

Thanks to the amazing Eliina from Nordictourismcollective, my partner and I packed in an action-filled itinerary: bear watching, biking, kayaking, spas, stunning hotels and more - all thanks to the warmth and effort of so many fantastic people and partners (you’ll get the full list and full lowdown in the blog soon!).

I’m heading back later this month with some of the brilliant travel agents I work with – and I can’t wait to see more of this beautiful, surprising country.

Kalev Spa Hotell & VeekeskusUuejärve MatkapesaIndieToursVisit EstoniaVihula Manor Country Club & SPAUnique Hotels EstoniaCity Bike TallinnNaTourEst

20/03/2025

A brilliant day in sunny Bristol with these wonderful people - Claire - Luxury Dream Holidays, Andy, and Paul - Nordictourismcollective and a visit to the fabulous Regent Holidays.

Great conversations, and exciting ideas, and always inspiring to work with such fantastic companies.

Big thanks to Regent for the warm welcome!

28/02/2025

A front cover moment for SJP Holidays!

Susan has built a fantastic local presence with her insightful destination features in Thrapston Life and Oundle Life, covering Japan, Canada, New England, and Croatia.

That work led to this brilliant Q&A, allowing her to showcase her specialist travel knowledge - and securing her a spot on the front cover of both publications in January and February 2025.

This is a great example of how storytelling and local engagement can elevate a travel business.

Congrats SJP Holidays on a fantastic piece!

You can read it and her other pieces here: https://bit.ly/4hYbJe7

02/02/2025

"I speak for my whole team when I say Danny is a joy to work with." – I’ll take that! 😆

Big thanks to Alan Haynes at Ultimate Destinations UK for these kind words. We started working together post-pandemic, focusing on rebuilding, refocusing, and keeping momentum going.

Ending 2024 with their fantastic 20th-anniversary celebration at the Chorleywood store - bringing together clients, suppliers, and their superb team -was a real highlight.

Supporting small, local businesses is something I truly believe in, and I’m proud to be part of their journey.

Bringing clarity, structure (and the occasional bad joke) is what I do - helping brilliant travel businesses stay on top of their game.

You can find Alan's testimonial here along with others on my recently updated website: https://bit.ly/3Eog0sI

Hello ChorleywoodChorleywood Parish CouncilChorleywood Community

30/01/2025

What started as a conversation at a Holidaysplease conference in 2019 has grown into something pretty special.

Today, Minty Highway works with some of the most brilliant independent travel agents and agencies - helping them build their personal brands, connect with suppliers, and grow their businesses in a way that feels natural and authentic.

Great to see this journey featured in Travel Trade Gazette this week - thank you to Katherine Masters for telling the story so well...
https://bit.ly/3PYaDmy

Jo Shayler HolidaysGillian Stewart HolidaysBlue Skies & SunniesElaine Price by Designer TravelSJP HolidaysFelicity Benn HolidaysSarah McCulley HolidaysJenny Davis HolidaysUltimate Destinations UKLuxury Dream HolidaysAmanda Holidays Not In The Guidebooks Agents

Self-employed agents can find they need someone to motivate them. Minty Highway fills that role with its business development services – we learn more about its founder Danny Sperling

11/12/2024

What an inspiring couple of days with an incredible group of talented travel professionals!

For the third Minty Highway Conference, we gathered at a beautiful house in Hampton-in-Arden for catch-ups, idea sharing, a fab Awards night, and brilliant sessions with amazing suppliers.

Huge thanks to Palladium Hotel Group, Anzcro , Nordic Travel Solutions, Not In The Guidebooks Agents and Avalon Waterways for your time, insights, and support.

Shoutout to Soho Tavern for a delicious and plentiful feast – you looked after us so well!

Always a total pleasure working with you all.

Here’s to another year of collaboration, growth, and success!

Jo Shayler Holidays Gillian Stewart Holidays Elaine Price by Designer Travel Blue Skies & Sunnies Sarah McCulley Holidays SJP Holidays Jenny Davis Holidays Felicity Benn Holidays Amanda Holidays

14/11/2024

Just back from an unforgettable trip to Morocco 🇲🇦 with Not In The Guidebooks Agents and a fantastic group of travel agents I’m lucky enough to work with.

Morocco was very special. From the warmth of the locals and incredible food to tailor-made experiences you’ll never find on a standard tour, not to mention a desert adventure that left us all speechless!

Thank you to everyone involved for such an inspiring, authentic experience.

Jo Shayler Holidays Gillian Stewart Holidays Sarah McCulley Holidays Elaine Price by Designer Travel Sheena Holidays Jenny Davis Holidays Felicity Benn Holidays

08/11/2024

Although it is always full-on and a bit chaotic, I hugely enjoy the World Travel Market - WTM London.

A fantastic mix of catching up with familiar faces, meeting new ones (including cricketing 🏏🇦🇬 royalty!), and coming away energised by the latest trends shaping travel worldwide.

Events like these spark fresh ideas, and new collaborations and inspire me to bring more to my clients!

Just need to get the phone reception, Wi-Fi and the flow in and out of the tube flowing a little better ExCeL London

Thanks to all who took the time to talk - here’s to another exciting year of connecting and creating in this brilliant industry!

Dx

Antigua and Barbuda TourismElephant HillsFan Club Thailand : UK & IrelandUltimate Destinations UKAlan HaynesSanthiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & SpaJG Collection, UKProtected Trust ServicesNordictourismcollectiveEXO Travel