Hold onto your hats, it’s the Women In Travel Power List!
Who are the top female heavy hitters in the travel industry?
The travel industry has spoken, providing Travel Weekly with an impressive long-list of our most powerful women. After sifting through hundreds of nominations, a select panel of expert judges has decided on the 15 most influential women in the travel industry.
Revealed at a sold-out glittering gala cocktail party to celebrate the inaugural Women in Travel Awards in Sydney last night where most of the top 15 women were in attendance, we can now reveal just who made the cut.
And here they are!
Women in Travel 2016 Power List
- KARIN SHEPPARD
Chief Operating Officer, InterContinental Hotels Group
- KAYLENE SHUTTLEWOOD
Managing Director, Travelport
- LISA RONSON
Chief Marketing Officer, Tourism Australia
- LISA AKEROYD
Managing Director, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
- PENNY SPENCER
Managing Director, Spencer Travel
- JACQUI WALSHE
Managing Director, The Walshe Group
- WENDY WU
Founder & Chairperson, Wendy Wu Tours
- OLIVIA WIRTH
Group Executive Brand, Qantas
- SARAH BUILT
General Manager Australia & NZ, Etihad Airways
- JUDITH CROMPTON
CEO Travel and Aviation, Cover-More Group
- SARINA BRATTON
Asia Pacific Chairman, Ponant
- MELANIE WATERS-RYAN
Chief Operating Officer, Flight Centre Travel Group
- JAYNE HRDLICKA
CEO, Jetstar Group
- ANN SHERRY
Executive Chairman, Carnival Australia
- CINZIA BURNES
Executive Director, Helloworld
Congratulations to all these amazing pioneers of the industry.
The who’s who of the industry were in attendance last night – check out all the photo gallery from the Women in Travel Awards now, and also who won in the 17 categories.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
ann sherry carnival Cinzia Burnes etihad flight centre helloworld ihg Jacqui Walshe Karin Sheppard Lisa Akeroyd lisa ronson melanie waters-ryan penny spencer ponant Power List Sarah Built sarina bratton tourism tourism australia travel wendy wu women in travel Women in Travel AwardsLatest News
Virgin Australia pilots to score pay rises of up to $40k+ if new deal voted in
As if a $40 grand pay rise wasn't enough to make you envious, we also learnt pilots have 150 rostered days off a year!
Paradise Resort Gold Coast unveils its October Halloween month activities
Scaring the life out of your kids at a place called Paradise seems to be a something of a dichotomy to us.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: Silversea
Silversea includes butler service in every suite category, and that's just for starters.
Australia’s most picturesque towns based (according to Instagram)
Shockingly Travel Weekly's hometown of Surry Hills did not make it onto the list. We will be writing a strongly worded letter.
Quark Expeditions unveils Antarctica by helicopter
'Get to the chopper' takes on a whole new meaning in Antarctica, flightless penguins jealous, much?
New community tourism projects in India announced ahead of GX Summit
Travel Weekly is looking forward to reporting all about the GX World Community Tourism from Jaipur. We're excited.
QT Singapore reopens modern rooms and renewed focus on culinary excellence
If you're renovating a hotel and don't focus on 'culinary excellence', did you really renovate a hotel?
Gold Coast becomes the most connected Australian city to New Zealand
With Sydney also sending people to Hamilton, it might almost become as popular as its namesake musical.
Etihad Airways Sydney flights set to rise to 10 a week, as frequency ramps up
That's an increase from seven to 10 which is only an increase of three. That's as far as our maths goes.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises announces golf voyage, hosted by Annika Sörenstam
Once upon a cruise you could hit golfballs off the back of the cruise deck. Much like that Seinfeld epsiode.
Cattle truck crashes into The Ghan near Alice Springs
In true Aussie style, a guest said she wasn't too stressed about the ordeal thanks to the Ghan's well stocked bar.
TAG preferred travel partner for the 2024 World Business Forum in Sydney
The mullet has long gone, but he is still welcome in Australia.
Jetstar announces new route between Sydney and Hamilton
Another qck trp acrss the dtch to deliver some vowels, cuz. The banter has to get better.
The rise of the aerosexual – and a few other important aviation stories
We didn't know what they were either, but you will know it when you meet one.
AAT Kings unveils stacked list of 2025/26 itineraries
As travel journalists we like to stay ahead of the curve... In this case, it's up to two years ahead!
Bunnik Tours unveil new brochures to compliment agents selling Africa and South & Central America
From tips on Day Of The Dead to a safari in Africa, the hard part for agents part is not booking themself a holiday!
Stunning photos of Banyan Tree Lăng Cô’s golf facilities show why golf is booming in SE Asia
The best way to fix your golf game is a quick trip to the 'Vietnam Golf Coast', or at least that's a good excuse.
Registrations open for Business Events Industry Aotearoa conference in Taranaki
This is the peak Business Events Industry event, being held by a magnificent New Zealand peak. How appropriate.
TravelManagers wraps up ‘best conference yet’ and reveals 2025 location
Not only did attendees have a great conference, they now get to plan a Bali trip, with a long weekend bonus!
The Intrepid Foundation launches appeal to support Northern Vietnamese communities following Typhoon Yagi
Intrepid Travel has launched an emergency appeal through its not-for-profit, The Intrepid Foundation, to support impacted communities in Northern Vietnam following Typhoon Yagi, which made landfall on 7 September, 2024. All funds raised through the appeal will go directly to grassroots organisation Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, to provide immediate relief to thousands without shelter, food […]
GALLERY: Were you at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific 2024?
Were you at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific 2024, at The Star, Queens Wharf in Brisbane, Australia this week? See plenty of images here and the video highlights HERE.
Philippine Airlines and VietJet look to community connection near Western Sydney Airport
Both Philippine Airlines and VietJet will explore services from Western Sydney Airport with the airport’s proximity to the Filipino and Vietnamese diaspora in Sydney potentially beneficial to both carriers. Philippine Airlines VP revenue management and commercial planning Alex Featherstone, speaking at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific, said the carrier would “explore” the potential […]
Virgin Australia to refit MAX-8 and acquire Rex aircraft following Boeing delays
Not the biggest announcement given everyone else is in the same boat - or plane - but what's old is new again.
Exclusive: Wendy Wu on her passion for travel continuing to run deep
In case you missed it, here is a recap on Wendy Wu in the lead up to the 2024 Women in Travel Awards.
Australian Cycle Tours adds new cycle trip to the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail
Australian Cycle Tours has added a new, extended cycle trip that includes all sections of the popular Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail. The new trip commences in Beechworth with the first two days cycling with a transfer back to Beechworth, before continuing to Myrtleford and Bright, with a cycle on the newest sections of […]
Camp in style with Reflections Holidays’ new glamping tents
It will feel like you're on safari but instead of lions or elephants it's the kids in the holiday park to look out for.
It’s all of the photos from TravelManagers 2024 conference day one!
We all have that one friend who zooms in on their own face whenever there is a group photo. If you don't, it's you.
Air New Zealand chief hints at quirky safety video in time for Christmas
We've managed to nab an Air New Zealand exclusive at an aviation summit, who would have thought?
Solis Travel announced as the latest member of Luxury Travel Collection
If Luxury Travel Collection was a high school student, it'd be telling people 'you can't sit with us', but not Solis!
OPINION: Travelport CMO Jen Catto on AI empowering travel retailers
AI will fix everything, said no one ever. But it can help.
Anangu Communities Foundation raises $75,000 at its third annual Sydney fundraiser
Generous supporters gathered at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour for the third annual Anangu Communities Foundation Sydney fundraiser to help raise $75,000. Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia administers the Foundation which so far has funded over $3 million in projects to support Anangu communities of Central Australia with a focus on building community capacity in healthcare, […]
‘Virtuoso on Tour’ photos: Virtuoso showcases its best to agent base
Virtuoso hosted its second annual Virtuoso On Tour, a destinations event at the ICC in Sydney showcasing tour operators, tourism boards and more to its agent family. The event is designed for travel agency members in Australia and New Zealand to network with Virtuoso partners across the globe. It housed six destination-themed pavilions (Australia & […]
Oceania Cruises showcases new culinary tours and itineraries in Alaska
Designed by foodies, for foodies. Well, they've sucked us in, when can we get on board?
Galapagos Shark Diving expands conservation efforts with new partnership
Got a fear of the deep blue? This is the way to overcome it... or have a panic attack.
The gloss of a garlicky brioche bun continues to shine long after leaving Amanoi
That calls time on our Chris Taylor series. We loved these so much we might have to send him on another trip.
Highlights of CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific
What do you get when you put a bunch of aviation workers in a conference centre? Lot's of breaking news!