Black Tomato

Nietzsche or not, you can get a huge amount of satisfaction from big, bold trips that set you a challenge. Recently, rising numbers of our travelers have been requesting these journeys that lead to a sense of earned reward; so much so, it’s one of our Travel Trends for 2025. In episode 3 of our podcast, award-winning Financial Times Travel Editor Tom Robbins shares with our co-founder Tom Marchant why this type of travel might just be the answer in an age of instant gratification. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Or head out on an expedition 🥾 https://lnkd.in/ecXkR73A #Podcast #NewPodcast #ListenNow #Travel #LuxuryTravel #Challenge #

“Black Tomato remains one of the buzziest operators thanks to the cachet and connections of Metcalfe.” Sunil Metcalfe, our Sales Director, has been named as one of Robb Report’s 2025 Masters of Luxury – and we couldn’t be prouder. As he approaches 10 years at Black Tomato, we’ve known for a long time that Sunil seriously knows his stuff; but it’s a real honor to see him featured on this shortlist of just 26 travel professionals across the globe, carefully selected for their “expertise, clout and ambition to make the unimaginable real”. Huge congratulations to Sunil, and to all the other recipients of this accolade – and many thanks to Robb Report. https://lnkd.in/eBxFmSsn #RobbReportMastersofLuxury #Award #Travel #Luxury #LuxuryTravel #TravelExpert

We’re delighted that our co-founder, Tom Marchant, has been featured on World Luxury Chamber of Commerce’s list of 2025 Top Luxury Speakers – which shines a spotlight on "game-changers influencing the direction of luxury”. It’s truly humbling to see Tom recognized as “a thought leader in the future of luxury travel” – and amongst such esteemed company. With many thanks to the World Luxury Chamber of Commerce. https://lnkd.in/d2f6aUqr   #LuxuryTravel #Speaker #Business #Travel #Luxury #Insight

Last week, our Head of Digital Transformation Ronan Gay took the stage at the first ABTA Travel Marketing Innovation conference. He explored the role of AI in travel and discussed the importance of being purpose-driven in its application, where successful use will enhance both human expertise and creativity.   Ronan shared insights into the very emotional science behind our new Feelings Engine – part of The Pursuit of Feeling – and offered a glimpse into some exciting internal AI projects we’ve got in the works, designed to boost productivity and free up our team to focus on what matters most: crafting remarkable experiences for our travelers.    A huge thank you to ABTA for the invitation, Andy Headington of Adido for moderating, and to all the fellow speakers who contributed to an inspiring day 👏 #TravelMarketing #Technology #Innovation #DigitalMarketing #Digital #AI #Conference #Travel #LuxuryTravel

Six of our globe-trotting team have been named as Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialists for 2025. And we’re incredibly proud.   It truly means the world to us that they’ve each been recognized as dab hands at “pulling off the impossible” in the (many) places they specialize in across the globe:   Tom Marchant – Morocco & Iceland Alys Colayera – Japan, Australia & New Zealand Sunil Metcalfe – Italy, France & Spain Luca Fella – Africa, Middle East, Central & South America Carly Moss – Iceland, Chile & Italy Abigail Harness – Canada, USA & Mexico   With our huge thanks to Condé Nast Traveler. https://lnkd.in/d6a-JVh #CNTTopTravelSpecialists #Awards #Travel #LuxuryTravel #Specialists

“Adventure alchemists”. We might have to get that printed on a shirt.   We’re feeling incredibly humbled to have been named as Best for Bespoke Itineraries in the 2025 Men’s Journal Travel Awards.   It means a lot to us to have been included in this shortlist of the world’s “best of the best” tour operators – and to be recognized for the “one-of-a-kind” trips we create for our travelers. With huge thanks to Brittany Smith and Men's Journal.    Now, we’re going to get back to doing what we do best: tailoring itineraries. #Travel #Awards #BespokeTravel #LuxuryTravel #TravelPlanning

Smell isn't just a sense; it's a trigger for some of our most precious memories.   This is just one of the many, many feelings that Melinda Stevens – founder of Salt Lick Creative and former editor in chief of Condé Nast Traveller – shared with co-founder Tom Marchant in episode 2 of our new podcast.   Listen to the full episode at the link below – or wherever you get your podcasts 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eG_hKrRB #FEELsomething #Podcast #New #TravelPodcast #LuxuryTravel #ListenNow

In this exclusive feature, Bloomberg News dives into our brand-new Feelings Engine – our travel tool that blends cutting-edge AI with 20 years of human expertise to turn the emotions you want to feel into trips where you can find them. Our co-founder Tom Marchant spoke with Nikki Ekstein about taking one of the founding philosophies of Black Tomato – that you may not know where you want to go, but know how you want to feel – to new heights through this latest innovation. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eJV9ZkRp #AI #Travel #Technology #Feature #FEELSomething #TravelTechnology #Innovation

We were truly humbled to see our co-founders Tom Marchant and James Merrett receive the Contribution to Luxury Travel award at the 2025 TTG Luxury Travel Awards on Friday.   Here’s Tom accepting the award on behalf of them both – with some incredibly heartfelt thanks to the brilliant communities, partners, and clients that we’re so lucky to work with every day.   Huge thanks again to TTG Media and April Hutchinson. It really means the world. #TTGLuxuryAwards #LuxuryTravel #ContributionToLuxuryTravel #TravelIndustry #Travel #Awards

WHAT • A • WEEK! This one definitely deserves its own post! ✨ Kicked off with One&Only Resorts - to meet the rockstars behind their stunning European collection - Aesthesis, Portonovi, Kéa island and the soon to launch SIRO Boka Place. ✨ A fabulous afternoon with our friends at Belmond, to learn more about their NEW Villa opening in Portifino this July, restored by my favourite designer, Martin Brudnizki! As well as their NEW luxury sleeper train, the Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train! ✨ Wrapped up at the TTG Media Luxury Travel Awards - where I had the privilege of sitting alongside the incredible women of the Travel Sisterhood 🫶 and Virgin Limited Edition. It was truly inspiring to watch Tom Marchant and James Merrett collect the ‘Contribution to Luxury Travel’ award - congratulations to you both! I’m so proud to be part of what you’ve created at Black Tomato. Now it’s time to get back to the grind and tackle my 50 billion emails - wish me luck! Special thanks this week to Lize, Joanna, Evdokia, Alison, Stanko, Justin, Marco, Dominique, Adam, Isabella and Rachel xx #BlackTomato #LuxuryTravel #TTGLuxuryAwards #Awards #Travel #Innovation