James Thomas · Destination publisher & travel marketer
I help tourism businesses get found and booked direct.
I’ve run The Whitby Guide for 17 years. Visitors use it, and my guides to Tenby and Brighton, to decide where to stay and what to do. I use what I see there to help accommodation and attractions win more bookings without paying commission on every one.
Co-founder, Jet Coast
The Whitby Guide · Around Tenby · We Love Brighton
Running The Whitby Guide for 17 years
Working with businesses UK-wide
The Whitby Guide, October 2026. One of three Jet Coast destination guides.
~1m
Searches a year
26k
Newsletter subscribers
144k
Facebook followers
20M
Monthly social reach
Partners and past clients
Why a publisher
Most marketing advice fixes your website. I get guests to it.
I see what visitors look for
Every year around a million searches land on The Whitby Guide. I know what people plan, when they book and what makes them click.
I own the channel
Newsletter, social and web audiences that plan trips to Whitby, Tenby and Brighton. Your marketing can go straight in front of them.
I know hospitality
I’ve worked with hospitality technology brands and operators including Greene King, Byron and Time Out, and I sell trips through my own tour company. Advice comes with the commercial side built in.
Ways to work with me
Start free. Go as far as you need.
Free
Get Found, Get Booked: starter guide
Seven moves to win more direct bookings, a quick-win list and a scorecard to see where you stand.
Self-serve
Get Found, Get Booked: the course
The full method for holiday lets, B&Bs and small hotels. Written lessons, templates, and the letting rules for England and Wales.
Start here
Direct Bookings Audit
I review your website, channels and costs, then hand you a priority plan. Free with any Jet Coast advertising package.
Strategy
Strategy project
For attractions, groups and multi-site operators: a fixed-price marketing plan built on audience data.
Selected work
Results for real places.
English Heritage · Whitby Abbey
Ten-year partner on Illuminated Abbey
Promotion of the Abbey’s flagship event, plus its Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of vampires.
Saltmoore
1,657 new email subscribers
An afternoon tea competition run through The Whitby Guide, building Saltmoore’s own list.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Event promotion partner
Promotion of NYMR events to The Whitby Guide audience.
Not sure where to start?
Tell me about your business. I’ll tell you straight which option fits, or if none does.