The Association of Women Travel Executives (AWTE) has announced the much anticipated '60 for 60' list which celebrates the 60 women who have made a difference and had an influence in the travel industry over the past six decades.

The '60 for 60' list was announced at AWTE's 60th anniversary event at The Marriott Grosvenor Square yesterday (July 14). The event also honoured the achievements of three shining stars in the annual AWTE Chair's Awards.

The '60 for 60' initiative was created to celebrate AWTE's 60th anniversary, by encouraging people to nominate the 60 most influential women in the travel industry. Finalists were recognised for their contribution to the industry over the past 60 years and spanned the whole sector from aviation travel (Chris Browne), online (Martha Lane Fox), tour operator (Susan Hooper), media (Lynne Hughes), public sector (Sandie Dawe), cruise (Jo Rzymowska) and hotel (Jackie Kernaghan). The '60 for 60' members will now go on to nominate 60 young promises of the industry who will be given a free, year-long membership to the AWTE.

The event also featured the annual AWTE Chair's Awards where nominations spanned far and wide across the travel industry. The Company Award, introduced only last year, intended to celebrate a business' commitment to gender equality by encouraging female staff to have the opportunity to reach their potential, went to Avis Budget. The Business Impact Award, designed to award the heights of innovation in business, went to Harriet Green, CEO Thomas Cook and finally, the Honorary Award went to Jo Rzymowska, managing director Celebrity Cruises UK & Ireland.

Barbro McAusland, chair of AWTE commented, “This event has been a great celebration of the industry talents both past and present and we are delighted to now offer the opportunity for experienced members to help develop the rising stars of the industry too.”

For more information please visit www.awte.org.uk  

-ENDS-

Press Contact:

Amy Skelding

Brighter Group

amy.skelding@brightergroup.com

T: 020 7326 9880

Atkin-Smith

Notes to editors:

Full details of the '60 for 60' winners:

Adele Biss, Alexis Coles Barasso, Amanda Wills, Amanda (Williams) Matthews, Angela Day, Barbara Cassani, Bella Rangel Callan, Bronwyn Gold Blyth, Carol Marlow, Carolyn McCall, Cathy Matos, Chris Browne, Claire Tobin, Debbee Dale, Debbie Flynn, Diane Bouzebiba, Doreen McKenzie, Erna Low Fiona Jeffery, Gail Kenny, Gill Benwell, Harriet Green, Jackie Kernaghan, Jacky Simmonds, Jackie Steadman, Jane Atkin-Smith, Jane Ashton, Jane Dyson, Jo Rzymowska, Joan Richardson, Julia Kemp,  Julia Lo Bue-Said, Julia Simpson, Kathryn Beadle, Kathryn Ward, Kristina Wallen, Lucy Huxley, Lynn Hughes, Lynn Narraway, Mandy Nickerson, Margaret Hood, Martha Lane Fox, Melba Correia,  Nishma Robb,  Patricia Rossello Evans, Petra Roach, Phil Bocarro, Pippa Isbell, Renee Chandler, Rita Beckwith, Sandie Dawe, Simone Clark, Sharon Munro, Sue Biggs, Susan Hooper, Tamara Lohan, Tiffany Hall, Val Gooding, Victoria Sanders, Wendy Atkins Smith.

AWTE Chair's Awards

Company Award

Shortlist:

TTG, Dan Pearce

City Cruises Plc, Rita Beckwith

Winner:

Avis Budget, Julia Kemp 

Business Impact Award

Shortlist:

Gail Kenny, Gail Kenny Recruitment

Lynn Narraway, Holland America Line

Winner:

Harriet Green, Thomas Cook 

AWTE Honorary Award (in memory of Joan Richardson, Founder of AWTE)

Shortlist:

Rita Beckwith, City Cruises

Mandy Nickerson, Bales Worldwide

Winner:

Jo Rzymowska, Celebrity Cruises UK & Ireland