Tributes paid as travel legend Judith Chalmers dies at 90

Travel broadcasting legend Judith Chalmers has died at the age of 90.

 

Chalmers was the original presenter of long-running ITV series Wish You Were Here…?, a programme that attracted 15 million viewers at its peak.

 

She spent six months every year working on the show, reporting from holiday destinations around the world.

 

In 2010, she told Travel Weekly: “When I started travel presenting, the world was my oyster, but we always tried to reflect what British holidaymakers were doing at the time.

 

“Initially, that was packages to the Mediterranean; then there was a boom in people buying their own property abroad; and now, through cruising, the world has now become everyone’s oyster.”

 

Chalmers presented more than 500 editions of the show before handing the reins to Anthea Turner, but she continued to appear until its cancellation in 2003.

 

Chalmers remained active in the travel industry, attending and hosting events, with cruises among her favoured trips.

 

She told Travel Weekly in 2010: “We love cruising. It’s something we enjoy so much – mainly because of all the wonderful people you meet.

 

“I had thought cruising wouldn’t be for me. I thought I’d want the freedom of being able to move on when I wanted to and not because a ship was sailing, but I now absolutely revel in it.”

 

Travel industry figures pay tribute to Judith Chalmers

Lynn Narraway, vice-president UK and EMEA at Seabourn, was friends with Chalmers for many years. She said: “I first met Judy on the Amazon. She was the kindest and funniest person with a glorious sense of humour and that twinkle in her eye.

“Although she would be recognised wherever she went, she never tired of listening and talking to people. She remembered names of children, grandchildren and what you did or liked.

“I was at a literary festival fundraiser when I heard the sad news and as it spread around the tables it was obvious just how loved and popular she was.”

She added: “I feel so fortunate to have spent so much time with her as a friend and through the industry and she will be deeply missed by her family and all who met her.”

Clia UK and Ireland managing director Andy Harmer said: “Throughout her long career, Judith brought great energy and life to the travel industry, making holidays accessible to millions.

 

“More recently, she appeared at Clia Conference and was a regular guest at cruise events, where in many cases she met a new generation of fans and admirers.

 

“I was lucky enough to interview her once, and was entranced by her wit, her knowledge, her friendliness and her love of all things travel.”

 

Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly, said: “Judith Chalmers was a broadcasting legend and a true friend and ally to the travel industry. I was lucky enough to meet and interview her and she was exactly as she came across on television: warm, funny and passionate about the industry we are all so proud to be part of.

 

“She will be greatly missed and my condolences go to her family.”

Miles Morgan Travel founder Miles Morgan said: “It’s feels like a bit my travel industry life has gone today with the passing of Judith Chalmers.

“I grew up watching her on the telly and then she featured in our TV adverts and she was such a warm and genuine person, spending time with all the staff she met.

 

“I kept in touch with her afterwards and found her to be simply lovely, always interested in how the business was doing and what I was up to.

“RIP Judy, a genuine travel industry legend.”

 

Jonny Peat, director of cruise at the Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “Judith Chalmers inspired my curiosity for travel from a very early age, which shaped my career in the industry.

 

“She showed that travel is about people and connection and leaves behind an incredible legacy.”

 

Dawson & Sanderson corporate and commercial director Judith Alderson said Chalmers “gave me a thirst for travel”, adding: “She was the inspiration for me to work in the industry.”

 

Lisa McAuley, managing director of World Travel Holdings UK, parent of Cruise118, said she was “really shocked” to hear of Chalmers’ death.

 

“She was a figurehead for my youth,” she said. “I was glued to the TV set every weekend. She partly influenced my decision to work in the travel 

industry.”

 

Michelle Daniels, country manager for the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand at Viva Cruises, said: “I grew up with Wish You Were Here…? on the TV; she has always been part of the travel industry.

 

“She had such a charismatic voice; she was an icon of TV travel and one of the first to do travel on the TV. It’s really sad.”

The Travel Network Group chief operating officer Stephanie Slark said: “Judith Chalmers was such a personality. This is such sad news.”

 

Natalie Holder, international marketing manager at Azamara Cruises, added: “Judith Chalmers influenced so many generations of people; she was part of the travel industry and its heritage.”

Industry veteran Paul Foster said: “I am sure I will not be the first to have fond and warm memories of the wonderful Judith Chalmers.

“As the former marketing director for Wakefield Fortune Travel I managed to persuade ITV to use one of their newly decorated branch offices in London to film an episode of Wish you were Here. The manager’s backroom office was used for Judith’s dressing and make-up room.

“The travel trade should be most grateful for what Judith did for the industry, a truly great  lady.”