The winners of Travel Weekly's Women in Travel Awards 2023 were announced at an evening event at Doltone House Hyde Park on Tuesday night.

It was the first time the event had been held since 2019 due to the pandemic.

More than 400 people attended the event which celebrates the success of women in the travel industry and recognises those who are champions for women and are making a difference to how women succeed in travel.

“Throughout history, women have been pioneers, ground-breakers, and ceiling smashers,” Travel Weekly editor, Dan Lake said.

“There's no better example of this than Captain Deborah Lawrie who, after powerful opposition to her becoming a pilot from Ansett at the time, is still flying today for Virgin Australia.

“Despite claims her career would be held back by jewellery, strength or simply just being a woman, Captain Lawrie has flown aircraft for decades,” he said.

“All of the winners and nominees for Women In Travel 2023 might not be in the cockpit but are all just like Captain Lawrie in their own way. At the front, leading the way, powering up and taking people to the next level.

“So as women helped move the travel industry forward, let's celebrate the people who have helped in making sure the travel industry does the same to women in return,” Lake said.

 

Full list of winners:

 

Aviation

 

Candice Steffensen, Lufthansa Group

 

Corporate

 

Kristy Moore, Travel Moore

 

Cruise

 

Kara Glamore, Carnival Cruise Line

 

Employer of the Year

 

The Travel Corporation

 

Entrepreneur of the Year

 

Kerry Williams, The Accessible Group

 

Executive Leader of the Year

 

Danielle Galloway, Flight Centre Travel Group

 

Hotel

 

Jane Lyons, Hyatt Regency Sydney

 

Marketer of the Year

 

Adelle Clements, G Adventures

 

Mentor of the Year

 

Stephanie Myers, Stephanie Myers Academy

 

PR of the Year

 

Alice Moore, Élysée Collective

 

Retail

 

Leisa Davis, Helloworld Travel – Biloela, Rockhampton, Gladstone

 

Rising Star of the Year

 

Paulina Rozbicki, AAT Kings

 

Sales Person of the Year

 

Rose Febo, TravelManagers

 

Social Media

 

Vicki Fletcher, Flight Centre Travel Group

 

Sustainable Practices Champion

 

Catheryn Khoo, Torrens University Australia

 

Tourism Board Representative of the Year

 

Yana Shvarts, South African Tourism

 

Wholesale/Tour Operator

 

Jenny Gray, Intrepid Travel

 

Video interviews with each of the winners can be found on the Travel Weekly website.

 

The Women in Travel Power List:

 

The Women in Travel Power List was also revealed on the night.

 

Wendy Wu from Wendy Wu Tours was named as the most powerful woman in travel.

 

She told Travel Weekly, that for her success looks a little different to how others may define it.

 

“To me, it transcends not mere financial achievements. It's about making a meaningful impact, not only in our beloved travel industry but even more so on the lives of those our industry serves,” Wu said.

 

“It involves quality, sustainable practices, fostering a work environment that encourages growth, inclusivity, passion, dedication and above all determination against all odds.

Wu accepted the award via video link from London.

 

A full interview with Wendy can be found here.

Profiles of each of the women featured on the list can be found here.

  

Women in Travel Power List 2023:

 

1– Wendy Wu, Founder, Wendy Wu Tours

 

2 – Lorie Argus, CEO, Melbourne Airport

 

3 – Vanessa Hudson, CEO, Qantas Group

 

4 – Jayne Hrdlicka, CEO, Virgin Australia

 

5 – Gai Tyrrell, Managing Director Australasia, Globus family of brands

 

6 – Stephanie Tully, CEO, Jetstar Group

 

7 – Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director, Tourism Australia

 

8 – Rachael Hodges, General Manager, Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre

 

9 – Kaylene Shuttlewood, Managing Director, Travel Sellers, Pacific, Amadeus

 

10 – Louise Laing, General Manager Marketing ANZ, Intrepid

 

11 – Sarina Bratton, Chairman Asia Pacific and Special Advisor to Executive, Ponant

 

12 – Lisa Pile, Vice President and General Manager, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

 

13 – Leanne Harwood, SVP Managing Director JAPAC, IHG Hotels and Resorts

 

14 – Kathryn O'Brien, General Manager – Australia, Air New Zealand

 

15 – Julie King, Founder and CEO, Julie King & Associates

 

16 – Karen Merricks, Co-Managing Director and Owner, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents

 

17 – Kara Glamore, Vice President Australia, Carnival Cruise Line

 

18 – Penny Spencer, Managing Director, Spencer Travel

 

19 – Sarah Clark, CEO, Tourism Tasmania

 

20 – Debra Fox, Managing Director, Abercrombie & Kent

  

Photos from the event can be found here.

 

For media, if there's a particular image you'd like a hi-res copy of, then please email details of the image to editor@travelweekly.com.au.