Women In Travel Awards – Winners Revealed!
The inaugural Women In Travel Awards were held last Thursday night at a gala ceremony at the Ovolo Woolloomooloo.
The significance of the first ever Women in Travel Awards was clear, with a sold-out attendance of over 300 of the Australia’s travel industry’s elite.
Setting the tone for the occasion was Former NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally who gave a rousing keynote about women in politics and the workforce, and how more needs to be done to empower females to rise to the top.
MC’d by Travel Weekly Editor, Tara Harrison, the ceremony continued with the hotly contested top 15 Powerlist – check who made the cut here.
Keen on seeing who attended, who wore what, or you’re just wanting a sticky beak? Check out the gallery of photo’s from the night here.
Champagne corks will be popping in the offices of these successful ladies today, and rightfully so for their hard work, dedication and contribution to the industry.
So, without further ado, here are the winners along with the finalists in each category.
Aviation
Finalists:
Anca Sbenghe – Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian Airlines
Felicity Brown – Chinta Air Tours
Nicole McMahon – Virgin Australia
Roheena Gidwani – Malindo Air
Winner: Gai Tyrell, Hawaiian Airlines
Corporate
Finalists:
Leanne Ralston – Spencer Travel
Melissa Gillman – Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Rebecca Crosbie – Global Travel Management
Winner: Cherie Drummond, Corporate Travel Management
Employer of the Year
Finalists:
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Excite Holidays
Flight Centre Travel Group
Globenet Travel
GTI Tourism
InterContinental Hotels Group
Klick Communications
The Travel Corporation
The Africa Safari Co.
Winner: American Express Global Business Travel
Entrepreneur of the Year
Finalists:
Bella Tipping – Kidzcationz
Emily Warbrick- Snowscene
Gayle Dawson – TravelManagers
Lisa Pagotto – Crooked Compass
Nadine Jones – Jones & Co Collection
Rachel James – Bestjet
Reena Tory – Mantra Wild Adventures
Sarah Anderson – GTI Tourism
Winner: Renee Welsh, Booking Boss
Hotel
Finalists:
Amelia Karcher – Ibis Adelaide
Amery Burleigh – Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach
Nicole Cheramie – InterContinental Hotels Group
Winner: Megan Pechey, Mantra Group
Male Champion of Change
Finalists:
Craig Owens – Cruise Office
Gaston Guernik – Excite Holidays
Warren Payne – Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Winner: John Veitch, The Travel Corporation
Drive & Rail
Winner: Ingrid Kocijen, Rail Plus
Marketer of the Year
Finalists:
Justine Lally – APT Travel Group
Lee Siefken – InterContinental Hotels Group
Lisa Ronson – Tourism Australia
Lucy Piper – Intrepid Group
Meagan Maynard – Excite Holidays
Winner: Karen Cooke, Flight Centre Travel Group
Mentor of the Year
Finalists:
Debra Fox – APT Travel Group
Dyan McKie – Intrepid Group
Jo Sully – American Express Global Business Travel
Joleen R Hurst – Accor Hotels
Kim McKay – Klick Communications
Meg Salter – Auridian Training & Consulting
Sue Badyari – World Expeditions
Tracey Bremner – Globenet Travel
Winner: Sarah Anderson, GTI Tourism
PR of the Year
Finalists
Karena Noble – Voyages
Lauren Coughlan – Tourism New Zealand
Nicole Crowley – InterContinental Hotels Group
Rae White – The Travel Corporation
Winner: Jen McDermott, WE Buchan
Retail
Finalists
Carly Hulls – Tour Radar
Chriss Perry – Travel Partners
Debbie Collins – Spencer Travel
Debra Carr – Helloworld Surrey Hills
Dr Rita Benckendorff-Malik – Tailor Made Travelling
Kim Mason – TravelManagers
Maria Pandalai – TravelManagers
Robyn Davies – WOW! Travel
Winner: Penny Spencer, Spencer Travel
Rising Star
Finalists
Gisela Bell – Excite Holidays
Kass Scarlett – Tui Marine
Kate Wickham – Contiki
Lauren Smith – Intrepid Group
Lucy Potter – TravelEdge
Madeline Georgiadis – Accor Hotels
Nidhi Menroy – CVFR Consolidation Services
Winner: Breeanna Perez, Globenet Travel
Salesperson of the Year
Finalists
Amanda Castle – Busabout, TTC
Deanna Varga -Australian National Maritime Museum
Felicity Allan – Malaysia Airlines
Mary-Jane Devine – Fusion Marketing
Melissa Elf – FCM Travel Solutions
Winner: Susan Haberle, APT Travel Group
Social Media
Finalists:
Caroline Brunel – GTI Tourism
Marie Sulda – Kaleidoscopic Travel
Melaine Banyard – Champagne Travel
Natalie Siagian – Contiki
Winner: Katherine Ong, Erdigroup Hotel Collection
Technology
Finalists:
Gemma Sherwood – Intrepid Group
Kaylene Shuttlewood – Travelport
Narelle Smythe – Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Rachel James – Bestjet
Renee Welsh – Booking Boss
Winner: Michelle Beveridge, Intrepid Group
Tourism Board
Finalists:
Anne Morris – GTI Tourism
Mona Tannous – Sultanate of Oman Tourism
Stephanie Sng – Japan National Tourism Organization
Winner: Sarah Seddon, Destination Melbourne
Wholesale
Finalists:
Alex O’Connor – Insight Vacations
Alison Mead – Collette
Fiona Dalton – Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Simla Sooboodoo – Hands On Journeys
Winner: Susie Potter, The Africa Safari Co
The Women in Travel Awards could not have been held without our sponsors, dedicated judges and you – the travel industry for entering! Thank you for your support and congratulations to all the finalists and winners. We’ll be back next year for another terrific celebration of female talent in the industry! Stay tuned.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
women in travel Women In Travel AwardsLatest News
Two thirds of Australians support introduction of tourism tax, survey reveals
Can you guess which generation was the most outraged at the news? Hint: It is exactly who you think!
“The consumer really just wanted more classic reward availability” – customers underwhelmed by Qantas FF shakeup
All this consumer wants is to sit behind someone that doesn't push their seat back to near-horizontal levels.
Aussie travellers warned of ‘significant’ visa shifts in destinations including Chile, US and Vietnam
To be honest are biggest advice for having a layover in the US, is just don't.
Profile: Delta CEO Ed Bastian
Bastian says the airline business isn't for the faint hearted. We're sure Alan Joyce would agree!
Final Call: Travel DAZE Exec early birds are about to expire
Much like the auctioneer at the hottest sale of the year, we're giving you one more chance to jump at this deal!
Forget the weekend! Experience Gold Coast launches mid-week travel campaign
Your boss might be a bit bothered if you jet off mid-week, but you'll be the envy of all of your Instagram followers.
Victorian Tourism Industry Council warns of losing tourism dollars to NSW & QLD
Trendy cafe's hidden in CBD laneways can only get so many tourism dollars, clearly!
AIME 2024 rustles up $330m for APAC economy
This figure is a 65 per cent increase on 2023, much alike The Nibbler staff's alcohol consumption.
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Star boss resigns, admits retaining NSW casino licence unlikely under his leadership
The CEO resigned after 18 months in the role. 'Another one bites the dust' rumoured to be heard playing in Pyrmont.
Corporate Traveller swings amateur golfers around the globe for World Golf Competition
How're your golf skills? Consider yourself a Tiger Woods or often get quadruple bogeys? We take after the latter.
Corporate travellers to spend big on Melbourne F1 despite financial pressures
Part of the attraction is sick days after the event as corporate travellers suffer creaked necks and blown eardrums.
Bonza officially kicks off Gold Coast-Darwin route
The Flying Purple Thumb is back at it with another route. We swear, we're going to make this nickname stick!
South West Sydney Tourism launches Western Sydney Tourism Awards
Penrith's 3 consecutive NRL premierships wasn't enough? The people of Western Sydney could fill the trophy cabinet more!
Hotels vs. Airbnb: Industry leaders at odds over who should pay accommodation levy
There's not as much gore in the Hotels vs. Airbnb saga as there is in Alien vs. Predator, but it's just as thrilling!
Singapore Airlines revamps premium economy with new menu, amenity kit
Felt Singapore Airlines was lacking "the sauce" (as the kids say). Bolster belief in the carrier's je na sais quoi here.
Business Events Adelaide set for 20th Destination SA event
Destination SA turns 20! Hopefully it's not celebrated with vodka cruisers and vapes like most 20th birthdays.
Boeing’s woes delay massive Virgin Australia order
This delay means Virgin staffers will be without that new plane smell, inspiring us to sell it in a can.
All the winners from the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards
Somehow missed this news recently? Good thing you're subscribed to our fabulous newsletter!
Corporate international travel from Brisbane up 30% YOY: Flight Centre
Queenslanders seem keen to go somewhere that actually serves good beer! Sorry, we actually like Great Northern.
Amora Brisbane undergoes $30m remodelling, geared up for MICE offerings
When $30m goes into an amazing hotel to get it geared up for MICE offerings, that's amore!
Corporate Travel Management’s CEO Laura Ruffles steps down
CTM confirmed that Ruffles will be stepping down due to a personal health issue, effective immediately.
Qatar Airways crowned World’s Best MICE Airline at World MICE Awards
You could say Qatar Airways really 'nabbed the cheese' with this one! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
Qantas, Jetstar & Virgin hike airfares as supplier costs inflate
Supplier increases means you'll pay more. It's like pass the parcel, but instead of getting a present, you owe money.
NSW Central Coast wins global sustainability award for promoting ecotourism at ITB
NSW Central Coast jumped the gun on St. Patricks Day and got the green celebrations going early!
PHOTOS: RuPaul’s Drag Race stars hit Kings Canyon for Priscilla’s 30th anniversary
The stars have renamed the iconic spot 'Queens Canyon'. No name change to the adjacent 'Priscilla's Crack', however.
Air NZ to suspend Auckland-Chicago route amid aircraft troubles
Sorry Kiwis, your craving for authentic deep dish pizza will go unsatiated (or you could just fly with another airline).
Tasmanian Premier promises to build the world’s largest chocolate fountain if re-elected
If only sticky 6-year-old children could vote. Then the Tassie Premier would be guaranteed a victory!
The staggering amount invested in 2022/23 Australian tourism projects revealed!
Any guesses on how much it was? We'll give you a hint: It's between $1 and $9 trillion (hope this helps).
Marriott’s Bonvoy Lounge makes it a 5-peat at Formula 1 in Melbourne
If Formula 1 is so good, then why isn't there a Formula 2? Oh there is one... Never mind.
Virgin Australia posts $236m profit, but the outgoing CEO warns of turbulence ahead
Hrdlicka warns of tough times ahead, just after announcing she's leaving. We wonder if there could be a connection!
Ascott opens new 255 room property in Central Sydney
Bored of your bedroom and want 255 new ones to try? The new Ascott property is here to solve this very specific problem!
Work and play at the Radisson RED, Auckland
We aren't going to tell you what order to work and play in, just that you should be looking to do both at Radisson Red.
Swiftonomics 101: Just how much did fans spend travelling to see Taylor Swift?
Thought you'd heard the last of Swift, huh? Not in your Wildest Dreams could Swiftomania go out of Style!
Rex posts a $13.3m turnaround for 1H24, but still at a loss
Rex is slowly making its way back to pre-pandemic form. Much like us with our sporadic attempts at exercise.