AWTE seeks nominations for annual awards

The Association of Women Travel Executives (AWTE) is seeking nominations for its annual awards to recognise those who have made a significant contribution to the sector over the past year.

The winners will be announced at the annual Christmas lunch, which traditionally starts the travel festive season on December 5, at The Swan Underglobe, Bankside, London.

The award categories and judging process have been revamped for 2022, and industry experts will join with AWTE board members to assess the nominations.

Lindsay Garvey Jones, AWTE chair, paid tribute to the resilience of the travel industry and its “agile and innovative” people.

“Once again, after the success of last year’s combined event, we are delighted be able to bring together our Annual Awards and our Christmas lunch in one-star studded event,” she said.

“With so many people going above and beyond in the last 12 months, this is an ideal opportunity to recognise those efforts.”

Tickets are available for the Annual Awards and Christmas lunch, which can be booked on the AWTE website.

Jonathan Wall, director of Ellman Wall, sponsor of the Start-up of the year Award commented: “As leading accountants to the travel industry, acting for many best-in-class travel arrangers, Elman Wall, part of the Xeinadin Group, are delighted to support AWTE’s Best Start-up award.

“We want to help the next generation of women leaders make their hopes and dreams come true in building fantastic travel businesses.”

Travel industry employees can nominate themselves, a colleague or someone they admire, as well as a company that they believe really supports women with their career so that AWTE can publicly recognise their contribution.

Nominations are open for the following categories:

• Honorary Award – Honouring a female who has gone above and beyond in the past year to challenge the status quo as a thought leader in the industry. Sponsored by Gail Kenny Executive Recruitment

• Ambassador Award – This award recognises a travel industry male professional who actively encourages, enables, and supports women in business. Sponsored by Ambassador Cruise Line

• Start-Up of the year Award – For an engaging, innovative, and impactful female start-up created to change the way we travel. Sponsored by Ellman Wall

• Social Impact Award – For an individual or brand that has shown innovation in ways that have positively impacted the travel community or has developed their strategy in a sustainable and impactful way

• Inclusion Award – For a travel brand that has shown outstanding commitment to equality on their board and across the whole business, allowing women to reach their full potential. Sponsored by Intrepid Travel

• Rising Star of the year Award – For an individual who is 30 or under, relatively fresh to the industry and has made a significant impact. In partnership with ITT

The deadline for nominations is October 31.

Pictured winning the Male Ambassador Award last year is Danny Waine (Abta/ITT Future You) with Claire Osborne, the then chair of the AWTE.