A number of domestic tourism, transport and hospitality leaders have received awards in the Queen’s New Year Honours List.
The list also included the civil servant responsible for overseeing aviation and maritime policy, Gareth Davies, who was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath.
Those receiving OBEs included Richard Ballantyne, chief executive of the British Ports Association, for services to the maritime sector, and hotelier Robin Hutson, for services to the hospitality industry and philanthropy.
Those receiving MBEs included Best Western head of communications, content and brand Andrew Denton, for spearheading the company’s support of the NHS and vulnerable people during Covid-19, including offering hotel rooms for use as field hospitals early in the pandemic.
Others receiving the same honour included Visit Cornwall chief executive Malcolm Bell, for services to tourism in the southwest, Judith Owens, chief executive of Titanic Belfast, for services to tourism, and Samantha Richardson, director of the National Coastal Tourism Academy, for services to coastal tourism.
Davies received his award after being appointed director general of the Department for Transport’s aviation, maritime, international and security group in May 2019.
The remit of his role covers aviation policy including airports, environment, consumer protection, security and safety, and maritime policy including infrastructure, environment, security and trade.
He was also tasked with ensuring the UK transport system was ready for the UK’s transition from the EU and is responsible for international negotiations with other governments and international transport organisations in addition to sponsorship of bodies including the CAA.