A list of the 60 most influential women in the travel and tourism industry of the past 60 years is to be compiled by the Association of Women Travel Executives to mark its 60th anniversary.
The AWTE’s ‘60 for 60’ will invite members of the trade to nominate and vote for women who have shaped the industry since 1954.
Voting starts this month, with the list set to be publicised through social media channels as well as on the AWTE website.
The final ‘60 for 60’ list will be revealed at the AWTE’s 60th anniversary dinner on July 14, when the association will celebrate its history with videos, photographs and stories. Businesswoman Kim Winser, awarded an OBE in 2006 for services to the British fashion industry, will be the guest speaker.
AWTE vice-chairman Debbee Dale (pictured) said: “There are so many characters to put in the top 60. We will make some suggestions, but we want nominations. On the night we will reveal the top 60 and the woman at the top of the list.”
Dale said the AWTE was entering a new phase as it continues to challenge perceptions of its association and recruit new, younger members.
“In the past two years we’ve had some real industry go-getters join us, but we’re still trying to shake off old perceptions of AWTE,” she admitted.
Dale said the association was “significantly modernising” the way it is run, how it recruits – it now allows company members including men – how it organises networking events and what partnerships it signs.
A new board will be voted in on April 15.