Businesses and individuals have been recognised by social enterprise Women in Travel CIC for their awareness, achievements, initiatives and progress in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
The second annual International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum (IWTTF) awards were announced at an event held at Expedia’s offices in London.
Judges from across the industry praised the work seen from winners and finalists.
More: Female leadership programme launched for travel firms
Tourism has ‘massive’ chance to help women, Lata Expo told
Comment: We are all accountable for gender empowerment
Shaon Taludker, founder and chief executive of Geotourist, said: “At a time when inequality is growing and disproportionately affecting certain groups, I’m proud to be part of the IWTTF judging panel to witness the truly inspiring examples of inclusion and allyship that attempt to not leave those people behind.”
Jamie-Lee Abtar, marketing manager at Not in the Guidebooks, added: “I was heartening to see the quality and level of detail that’s being put into DEI efforts by lots of brands in the travel space, and equally it was lovely to see not just the usual names that are being awarded but also those that you’ve not heard about.
“I think that’s what Women in Travel is all about – providing a springboard for individuals from a diverse background to have opportunities within the travel space.”
Women in Travel CIC and IWTTF founder and managing director Alessandra Alonso said: “In the spirit of Women in Travel, we are shining a light on the great work that is being done by individuals and companies within the DEI space, which often goes unnoticed and yet provides great opportunity for shared learning.
“It is not about being perfect, everyone is on a journey, but we should celebrate every small step because it brings us closer to a more inclusive and sustainable industry.”
The results were:
DEI Professional – individual
Winner: Annaliesa Chapman, chief people officer at The Travel Corporation
Finalists: Agnelo Fernandez, Cote Family and Andrea Giroux, G Adventures
DEI Professional – company
Winner: Red Carnation Hotels
Finalists: Rise Travel Institute and Travel Matters
DEI champion – individual
Winner: Tiffany Casson, client relationship manager, Inntel
Finalists: Michael Dominguez, Associated Luxury Hotels International and Rebecca Jacques, BCD Travel
DEI Champion – company
Winner: RISE Travel Institute
Finalists: The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences, The Conscious Travel Foundation, Visit Santa Marta & Vivolo Café
Inclusive talent and recruitment – individual
Winner: Sian Evans, recruitment manager, Roadchef
Finalist: Annaliesa Chapman, The Travel Corporation
Inclusive talent and recruitment – company
Winner: BCD Travel
Finalists: Invisible Cities
Allyship heroes – individual
Winner: Laura Roe, senior manager, E4B events, global communications, Expedia Group
Finalists: Tami Fairweather, Fairweather Communications and Debbie O’Neill, Jules Verne
Allyship heroes – company
Winner: Insight Vacations
Finalists: Trip.com and Visit Santa Marta & Vivolo Café
Female leader of the year – entrepreneur
Winner: Nada Raphael, Co-founder, Tourleb
Finalists: Jessica Brooks, Eternal Landscapes; Iris Serbanescu wmnsWORK and Beth Santos, She’s Wanderful
Female Leader – corporate
Winner: Charlotte Shaw, head housekeeper at The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences
Finalists: Zina Bencheikh, Intrepid Travel; Linda Obi, Afrihealth and Shayna Zand, WeTravel
Female in travel tech – entrepreneur
Winner: Stephanie Clare Boyle, founder and director, Arwen Communications
Finalists: Mags Sikora, Me Time Away and Grace Lucia McBride, Lucia
Female in travel tech – corporate
Winner: Sarah Hillman, global heard of CRM and data, The Travel Corporation
Finalists: Mercedes Blanco, The Hotels Network and Shayna Zand, WeTravel)
Mentor of the year – individual
Winner: Quinn Meyer, founder, Crees Manu
Finalists: Meera Dattani, Adventure.com and Alexander Griffith, Visit Santa Marta & Vivolo Café
Mentor of the year – company
Winner: Yousra Magouri, engineering manager – communications platform, Expedia Group
Finalists: Hollie Dunne, Diversity Travel
Female mentee of the year – individual
Winner: Mandy Salonika, founder, The Adventure Ewe
Finalists: Jayni Gudka, Unseen Tours and Jools Sampson, Reclaim Yourself Retreats
Female mentee of the year – corporate
Winner: Madeline Scovotti, sales trainer, Audley Travel
Finalists: Jane Russell, The Travel Corporation