20 Influential Women in the Travel Industry

Women are the lifeblood of the travel industry. We make most of the decisions as consumers and comprise a large amount of the travel industry workforce, and yet, gender disparity continues to exist in the boardrooms, executive levels, and in opportunity and pay.

This International Women's Day, we want to highlight women who have done and are doing so much to affect change in the travel industry. They're leading as examples, pushing forth initiatives, and calling on the travel industry to do better, to be better. We hope this piece inspires you to connect with and uplift these women and those like them, and ultimately be an ally and champion for women's equality in the travel industry.

Who she is: Founding member and President of the Black Travel Alliance, Diversity in Travel consultant, Creative lead for Nomadness Travel Tribe, and creator of the ABC Travel Greenbook.

What she's done: Martinique Lewis has taken the travel industry by storm. Her life's work has been focused on advocating for people who feel unseen and unheard. It's apparent in her career as a Diversity in Travel consultant and in her role as the President of the Black Travel Alliance. In 2020, she released ABC Travel Greenbook, a book that creates community among Black people globally by highlighting Black-owned businesses on six out of seven continents. Lewis lends her voice to issues surrounding equality and inclusion in the industry through conferences, speaking engagements, and most recently, as one of the newest advisory board members of Conde Nast Traveler.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"I want equality across the board from the C-level executive to the traveler. I want diversity and inclusion top of mind even after years pass and we aren't in the midst of an equality movement."

Who she is: President & CEO, Celebrity Cruises

What she has done: Lisa Lutoff-Perlo has used her position as the President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises to be a positive force for change in the cruise industry. She has held many firsts in her life -- Celebrity's first female Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations, the first woman to oversee hotel and marine operations as the Executive Vice President of Operations for Royal Caribbean, and the first woman appointed to CEO of a Brand in the RCL Corporation.

She is most notable for her work in attracting more women to cruising and promoting more women to leadership positions. Under her leadership, Celebrity Cruises has grown the percentage of women on the bridge from 3% to 28% in the last five years (comparably, only 2% of the world's mariners are women). In 2015, she appointed the first American woman to Captain in the Celebrity fleet. Lisa was the first to eliminate single-use plastics onboard and paved the way for the first same-sex marriages on Celebrity ships. All of this resulted in Celebrity Cruises making history on March 7, 2020, with the first-ever all-female Bridge and Leadership Team. For Lisa, being on that entirely WOMANned ship was a dream come true and something she will never forget.

It is perhaps no surprise that Lisa has been recognized for her work with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) and Women in Travel, induction into the International Hall of Fame by the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey, and the prestigious The Eleanor Roosevelt Center Val-Kill Medal of Honor.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"If there's any silver lining in the COVID-19 cloud for our industry, it's that it highlighted the power of travel and the role it plays in the livelihoods of people and communities around the world. Travel is not only a major economic driver, it is critical for the human spirit. A shared sense of humanity isn't possible without travel that opens our minds and our hearts to new people, cultures, and perspectives.

I'd like to see the industry capitalize on this sense of purpose even more to solve travel-related issues and to attract more people from all backgrounds and nationalities to work in our industry."

Who she is: President & CEO of Latino Hotel Association

What she's done: Lynette Montoya started out as a residential real estate broker. After working with a couple looking for homes in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she learned they were in the acquisition mode to purchase hotels. Lynette asked them if she could find hotels for them to purchase. Her risk-taking paid off and she sold them the St. Anthony Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, for $32 million dollars. Lynette's career took a new route to hospitality investment and she educated herself in lodging investment before going on to play instrumental roles in hotel transactions for companies like John Q. Hammons, Apollo Real Estate, and others.

She currently runs the Latino Hotel Association as President and CEO with the goal to provide knowledge, information, education, and connections to Latinos who may have the capacity to consider hotel ownership. Lynette hopes to disrupt the white, male-dominated hospitality industry and help Latinos take advantage of the generational wealth and opportunities that come with hotel ownership.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"As a whole, I do not believe there are enough institutional diversity and inclusion within our industry, I would like to see this changed. Hotel ownership and paths to leadership information are not readily available. It's LHA's position to provide and make available information, education, and knowledge in both these areas."

Who she is: Founder of MuchPR and Co-Founder and Principal of The Change Agencies

What she's done: Tanya Churchmuch has been a television news journalist and travel writer, but as the owner of her company, MuchPR, she has shined the brightest. MuchPR is a travel, hospitality, and LGBTQ+ PR company based out of NYC. As one of the few lesbians in travel PR, Churchmuch long noticed the lack of queer representation in the travel industry, and she did something about it. She started one of the first lesbian travel websites, Girlports, has spoken at global travel industry events, and was the past-chair of the Board of IGLTA, the International LGBTQ Travel Association (she's been a member for the past 14 years).

She was awarded IGLTA's Hanns Ebensten Hall of Fame Award, the LGBTQ travel industry's highest honor, for her years of work dedicated to the awareness and visibility of the LGBTQ traveler. In 2019, along with 5 other partners, she co-founded The Change Agencies, the first and only national network of independently-owned public relations firms focused on inclusive marketing to multicultural and LGBTQ communities.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"It all comes down to diversity and representation. While we're finally hearing a conversation about the need for more diversity in travel, actions must speak louder than words. There is an urgent need to have more people of color and openly LGBTQ individuals in all levels of travel and tourism businesses, especially in DMOs, travel media, and PR and marketing agencies.

These are the people who tell the stories of travel to consumers and until diverse communities have a significant, constant, authentic role in that storytelling, their voices cannot be fully heard."

Who she is: Managing Director for Intrepid Travel in Europe, Middle East, and Africa

What she's done: Zina Bencheikh is driven by her passion for making the world a more inclusive and equal place. She uses her leadership position and the company's global reach to create economic opportunities for women through tourism, breaking down gender barriers in countries where women have been traditionally excluded from paid work and equal access to education, such as Morocco - her home country. By encouraging and supporting women to train as tour leaders, as well as championing female entrepreneurs by contracting them as suppliers, Zina has already helped shift mindsets in the country. She successfully lobbied the local Moroccan government to include women in the government-regulated tour guide licensing program. From there, she was the driver behind Intrepid Travel's Women's Expeditions-one of its most-successful range of tours in its history-that launched in 2018.

Now as the Managing Director of EMEA, residing in London, her continual focus on empowering and supporting women through local tours has shown the tourism industry that product must be purposeful. Zina's commitment to championing the advancement of education and employment opportunities of women in Morocco was key in building the relationship between Education for All and Intrepid Travel through the company's non-profit - The Intrepid Foundation. This relationship has led to creating opportunities for around 174 girls from rural Morocco to access education as well as helping some of their graduates to access internship experiences paid work in the Intrepid office of Morocco.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"For many years, my work in the tourism industry-beginning in Morocco as Intrepid Travel's General Manager in its local office and now throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa as a managing director for the region-has sadly allowed me to see discrepancies in gender equality in the tourism industry, especially for women in traditional countries.

However, I've also seen incredible progress made to empower women over the years, whether it's creating job opportunities in supply chains or supporting women to become tour guides in countries where it's more difficult, like Morocco or India. First hand, I've experienced travel's ability to act as a force for good in reducing inequalities between genders.

As travel rebounds, we need to put women first by finding more ways to empower and support them -from tour leaders to local business owners and suppliers-to encourage all facets of the industry to become more equitable."

Who she is: Vice President of Employee Relations at Delta

What she has done: Charisse Evans started her career at Delta in 1985 as a temporary part-time Reservation Sales agent. Today, she is the Vice President of Employee Relations and a leader in the aviation industry. In addition to being named one of Moves Magazine's Power Women in 2019, she is a board member of Dress for Success Atlanta and serves on the Board of Advisors for Women Leading Travel and Hospitality. She is proud to say she knows what it's like to work your way up from frontline to higher levels of leadership and hopes she serves as inspiration and motivation for others.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"The three major U.S. carriers are steeped in history. They have evolved over time based on customer demand and the global economy. One area we continue to see an opportunity for further evolution is in the area of leadership; most specifically as it relates to women and minorities. When you look at the C-Suite for these three organizations you can't help but note the limited hue of diversity. While there a few women sprinkled here and there I am sure there is space for a few more.

Building solid benches, taking risks, investing in development, and understanding the evolving needs of both the external AND internal customers will help these legacy organizations reflect the world we live in and help them to thrive for many more years to come."

Who she is: International President, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO

What she has done: Sara Nelson has served as the International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO since 2014, and she is currently serving her second four-year term. She first became a union member in 1996 when she was hired as a flight attendant for United Airlines. Today she represents nearly 50,000 of aviation's first responders at 17 airlines. She is passionate about AFA's continued mission to achieve fair compensation, job security, and improved quality of life for aviation's first responders as well as a safe, healthy, and secure aircraft cabin for passengers and crew alike.

When COVID-19 decimated the airline industry in 2020, Sara worked closely with House T&I Chairman Peter DeFazio, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader Schumer to secure the Payroll Support Program (PSP), the federal payroll grants that kept aviation workers employed and connected to healthcare during the coronavirus pandemic while banning stock buybacks and capping executive compensation. This is a historic workers-first union program that shifted economic relief to the people on the frontlines during an economic downturn.

The New York Times called her "America's most powerful flight attendant" for her role in helping to end the 35-day government shutdown in 2019. Sara highlighted aviation safety and security risks during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history and called for a General Strike. She also led the 90-day campaign to reverse national security policy to keep knives and other weapons off planes and crafted the campaign for "100,00 Eyes in the Skies," which successfully resulted in mandatory training for flight attendants to recognize and report human trafficking.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"Travel is all about connecting people, cultures, ideas, and the very expression of freedom. The travel industry has an incredible opportunity to be leaders for positive change. President Biden is restoring our relationships around the world and we will work with this administration to again lead on safety, health, security, and the basis for good, living-wage jobs. As we keep a focus on good jobs and the public safety that is promoted for all with union jobs, we can also lead the world on promoting green resources and infrastructure solutions rather than contributing to the climate crisis.

We need to learn from the recent tragedy and pass Chairman DeFazio's Aircraft Certification Reform and Accountability Act for ODA reform. In our workspace, the aircraft cabin, we are also working to update cabin evacuation standards to reflect today's cabin environment; implement the increased FAA minimum Flight Attendant rest, increase staffing, and improve cabin air quality."

Who she is: CEO of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA)

What she has done: AIANTA CEO Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe) has nearly two decades of executive-level experience managing and promoting Native American tourism. Since joining AIANTA as CEO in 2019, she has spearheaded several initiatives, including the organization's groundbreaking new Tribal Agritourism program and overseeing AIANTA's first-ever virtual American Indian Tourism Conference, which drew a record number of registrants in 2020.

As CEO of the only national association dedicated to indigenous tourism in the United States, she is the leading voice when it comes to advocating for travel and tourism as a significant economic driver in tribal nations. Among her responsibilities, she curates a robust educational program for tribes and indigenous-owned hospitality enterprises around the country. Prior to assuming the role of CEO, she was President of AIANTA's Board of Directors since 2010. During that time, she was instrumental in working with Congress to pass the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act.

Rupert was formerly the Executive Director of the State of Nevada Indian Commission, where she reported directly to the Governor of Nevada to serve as a liaison to the state's 27 tribes, bands, and colonies. During her tenure, she led the Nevada Indian Territory initiative and won awards and accolades for her work in the preservation of the Stewart Indian School and the development of a museum and cultural center on the historic site.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"I'd like to see more American Indian history taught and learned in the U.S. If more people realized just how much amazing history there is here at home, it would change the way they travel. Take UNESCO World Heritage Site Poverty Point in Louisiana. Although it is often called North America's first city, not nearly as many Americans are familiar with Poverty Point and the Native people who built this National Historic Landmark by hand, as they are with the other historical landmarks from the same era, like Egypt's Great Pyramids, the Mayan ruins, and even Stonehenge.

I'd also like to see travelers become as passionate about exploring local culture and experiences here in the U.S. as they are about learning about indigenous communities internationally. Here at home, we have 574 federally recognized tribes (and many more state-recognized and other tribes), with each having its own language, cultural heritage, and traditions. So much of this culture dates back thousands of years and the rich cultural heritage that has evolved over time include one-of-a-kind visitor experiences, from powwows to Indian Relay horseracing to Indigenous food-making programs. So many of these experiences are just a car trip away from America's major airport hubs and yet they tend to be under-recognized by travelers."

Who she is: Founder & Managing Director of Halal Travel Guide

What she has done: Soumaya T. Hamdi is the Founder and Managing Director of Halal Travel Guide, the UK-based travel company whose goal is to make it easier for Muslims to access better travel experiences. Soumaya works in partnership with locals from around the world to host trips designed with adventure-seeking Muslims in mind, as well as offering free digital travel guides to help Muslims plan better independent trips. Through the site, she recently launched an instant-booking platform with experiences including desert stargazing in Wadi Ru and road-tripping with locals in Barbados.

Soumaya has spoken at various international conferences like Food Trex Global, World Halal Summit, and the Halal in Travel Uzakrota Conference, as well as has been featured in numerous international publications, including the Guardian Observer and the New York Times. She has is described as the "entrepreneur redefining travel for millennial Muslims."

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"I'd like to see more engagement with local communities from travel & tourism leaders and stakeholders. After all, the best travel experiences are the ones where you get to connect with the locals, try out the food, experience the culture, and connect with the community. When we build these genuine connections we're creating the environment for travel to bring so much more good, both to the traveler and the local community."

Who she is: Owner of AdventureWomen, Founder of Thomson Treks, Thomson Family Adventures, and Thomson Collection

What she has done: Judi Wineland has spent her career blazing a trail in the male-dominated adventure travel industry. In 1978, she became the world's first woman to found an adventure travel company and has since founded multiple others, including Thomson Treks, Thomson Family Adventures, and most recently, Thomson Collection. Twenty-five years ago, Wineland helped found Focus on Tanzanian Communities (FoTZC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that facilitates education, women's empowerment, and water and health projects in northern Tanzania. She continues to serve as the organization's director.

Judi Wineland runs AdventureWomen with her two daughters, which they describe as a "relationship company," inviting women to unite over the power of female connection while exploring new frontiers. Offering adventure trips to dozens of destinations each year, AdventureWomen empowers women to challenge themselves mentally and physically by providing the security and camaraderie of a small group of women.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?
"Adventure travel in the U.S. started with younger travelers who were willing to 'rough it,' but today, it's important to acknowledge that the adventure travel industry currently caters to an affluent, older, and white market. Moving forward, I want to see the industry become more inclusive.

We need to make adventure travel more accessible to a diverse group of travelers, and welcome those who have been previously excluded -- including people of color, younger people, and those with less economic means."

Who she is: CEO & Co-founder of FemmeBnB Inc.

What she has done: Yaa Priscilla Birago is the co-founder and CEO of FemmeBnB Inc., the first social networking vacation and short-term rental platform that allows women to rent their spaces to other women in hopes of maximizing safety, peace of mind, and comfort (along with an AI-Powered Travel Companion to help women plan their trip from start to end). She started the company to provide safe space and peace of mind for women travelers after a terrifying experience as a solo traveler in Rome.

Her passion and enthusiasm for travel technology, women's travel experiences and safety, and sustainable travel has led her to be the recipient of the Global Impact Award, Women's Courage International Award, and named as a Black Canadian Role Model and Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada. Yaa Priscilla Birago has also been selected as Top30 under30 Pioneers by FOG, recognized as WOCStar Woman to Watch, and the TOP 20 Women CEOs in Vacation Rental Tech by VR Tech.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"As we established FemmeBnB Inc. with one clear focus of maximizing the safety of women travelers, I would love to see that change in the travel horizon for solo/group female travelers. Even today, most of our excuses to not travel solo is rooted in fear. Fear holds most of us back, and one way to combat fear is to be aware and be smart.

This is why I'm on a mission to curate a community of like-minded travel enthusiasts through FemmeBnB, where we can come together and share tips, tricks, become acquainted with customs and traditions to follow while traveling a particular country, become friends with people who are planning a trip same time, and last but not the least book a safe accommodation via our platform. My dream is to see women traveling without a hint of hesitation in their hearts."

Who she is: Accessible Travel Advisor, Spin the Globe/Cruises

What she has done: Sylvia Longmire is an Accessible Travel Advisor, the founder of Spin the Globe, and an award-winning author of the first and only book about wheelchair-accessible cruising titled, Everything You Need to Know About Wheelchair Accessible Cruising.Sylvia traveled extensively as a child and an Air Force Officer and Special Agent. After she adjusted to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2005, she continued to travel in an electric scooter and shared her experiences on Spin the Globe. In addition to her work as an Accessible Travel Advisor, Sylvia founded The PreJax Foundation to provide college scholarships to students who have a parent with multiple sclerosis or are themselves diagnosed with MS.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"I would love to see travel suppliers become more aware (and appreciative) of the vast purchasing power the disability community has. I would also love to see people with disabilities more routinely involved in the design process for wheelchair-accessible cruise cabins, hotel rooms, and tour itineraries."

Who she is: Co-Founder of The Association of Black Travel Professionals

What she's done: Gai A. Spann got her sense of fearlessness and adventure from her dad who was an original Tuskegee Airman. It has served her well in her career in travel. She became a travel consultant in 2004 with Liberty Travel before starting her own full-service travel agency, SPANNING the Globe Tours in 2006. Most recently, she's worked as a Business Development Manager for Apple Leisure Group and Business Development Director for Ensemble Travel Group.

However, it's her role as co-founder of The Association of Black Travel Professionals where Gai is affecting big change in the travel advisor industry. Through ABTP, Gai is raising the profile and talent base of Black travel professionals through education, certification, networking, and more.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"Everyone wants to be seen and heard and although the travel industry ironically brings people all over the world to appreciate different cultures, when we hold the mirror up to travel companies their teams and staff don't always reflect the diversity they represent.

I would like to see the travel industry take a proactive step to address the disparity and to commit to creating equity in leadership roles in the industry. As travel builds back, now is the perfect time for the industry to be intentional and look to connect authentically with demographics of people that have gone unseen and underrepresented."

Who she is: Managing Director, The Hermitage Hotel

What she has done: Dee Patel is the Managing Director of The Hermitage Hotel, where she is responsible for the strategic direction of the property. She was named the first woman to serve as General Manager and Managing Director of the hotel, and has used her position to be an influential voice and advocated for women and diversity in hospitality, Tennessee, and beyond. Through her leadership, The Hermitage Hotel has won numerous awards. She manages the partnership with The Land Trust for Tennessee which has raised almost $1 million to preserve historic Tennessee lands.

Dee has received numerous awards for her work like the Outstanding Woman Hotelier of the Year Award by the Asian American Hotel Owners Associaton and Woman of Influence and a Disruptor on the "Power 100" list by the Nashville Business Journal. She resides on multiple boards like the Historic Hotels of America and is the Director of the Board of the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"When it comes to travel, studies show that women are the dominant decision-makers - over 80% of travel-related decisions are made by women. While those numbers are not presently reflected at the executive decision-making level, I'm optimistic and hopeful that we are on the path towards greater gender balance in leadership. I hope to see us continue making strides towards nurturing the success of women as well as men."

Who she is: SVP, Sales and Trade Support & Service at Royal Caribbean International

What she's done: Vicki Freed has deep roots in the cruise industry. She worked at Carnival Cruise Line for 29 years before joining the Royal Caribbean team in 2008, and was the first female chairman of the Cruise Line International Association's (CLIA) marketing and travel agent training arm of the North American cruise industry. While she has been honored by recognitions like the Michelle Morgan Leadership Award, induction into CLIA's Hall of Fame, and has served as their Chairman for two years, the most rewarding part of her career has been making a difference for travel advisors' businesses. She started as a sales rep and has always been focused on how to help travel advisors succeed and she does this through approachable ways like Coffee Talk, a permanent weekly discussion in which she engages with the travel advisor community.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"One positive change that I already see happening is that because of this pandemic, more consumers than ever before are turning to travel advisors and discovering the value they offer. People have so many questions they need answered right now. When should I book? Is this country open for travel? What health and safety protocols do I need to know about? And travel advisors are the expert to provide answers, confidence, and lifelong travel memories."

Who she is: Founder and CEO of Wanderful

What she has done: Beth Santos started the first iteration of Wanderful as a travel blog in 2009, but it quickly grew into an international community and social network that offers classes, mentorship, conferences, trips, awards, and events to over 45,000 active participants spanning 110 countries. Through Beth's leadership, Wanderful has become an online force for travel content creators to connect, lift barriers in representation, and fight for women's equity. Beth has lead initiatives on diversity, equity, and inclusion in travel like the Moving Forward: Anti-Racism Town Halls and anti-oppression toolkit. It's no wonder that Beth has been recognized by Business Insider, TimeOut, and the Obama Administration as a changemaker, notable travel blogger, and entrepreneur.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"Despite the fact that women make 80-85% of travel decisions and represent 2/3 of all travelers, the travel industry treats this major demographic as a niche. The 'women in travel' narrative is not only overly simplistic (either about fashion or about the perils and danger), but it also tends to zero in on the experiences of a very small segment of young, white, straight, able-bodied women.

There's so much to work on here in creating a travel industry that is both representative of and speaks to a stronger diversity of travelers, and I'd like to see the travel industry step up to the plate to be more equitable and inclusive and recognize the many intersections of travelers today. This also means being more thoughtful about who is being impacted in travel -- the traveler, the local community, the environment -- and how we can make sure we're using travel as a force for good."

Who she is: Tourism Consultant and Executive Director of Women in Travel BAME Programme

What she has done: Jamie-Lee Abtar has utilized her ability to build relationships, develop partnerships, and bring about powerful campaigns, initiatives, events, and connections in the travel industry. Prior to becoming the Executive Director of BAME Women in Travel CIC, Jamie-Lee founded her own marketing and PR agency, Be Distinctly Different. As a tourism consultant, she has worked with brands and destinations like the Caribbean Tourism Organization, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., St Lucia Tourist Board, and Sri Lanka Training Program.

With BAME Women in Travel CIC, an initiative that empowers Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic women to find success in the travel industry., Jamie-Lee has taken on a leadership and speaker role in some of the most engaging panels on diversity and inclusion in travel. She was instrumental in the BAME Committed Membership program which works with organizations to address challenges linked to racial equality in travel. Thanks to her hard work and dedication, she was named one of TTG's 30 Under 30 Future Travel Leaders.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"I'd like to see travel brands turning diversity and inclusivity from a 'nice to have' to 'business-critical' by developing sustainable DEI models that align with their overall business strategy that's diverse, inclusive, and reflective of society. This will allow travel organizations to connect closely with customers, attract prized talent, and ultimately boost their bottom line."

Who she is: CEO and founder of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative

What she has done: Michelle Fee has built the nation's largest network of home-based travel advisors as the CEO and founder of Cruise Planners. With her positive "Cruisitude®" attitude, she has taken a hands-on approach with her business since 1994, making sure that travel franchise owners have extensive training, the right technology, and marketing to be a success.

She was named the godmother of the AmaSerena by AmaWaterways in 2015 and an Entrepreneur of the Year finalist on the national level by EY. Michelle sits on the advisory boards of Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), and the Executive Forum for Carnival Cruise Lines.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"If there is a silver lining to this whole COVID situation, I do believe that travelers will be more likely to use a travel advisor in the future for all types of vacation experiences. The pent-up demand is real, we're just waiting for the CDC to give the green light, which hopefully happens soon. We feel Cruise Planners is in a good position. By having home-based advisors, there is no ramp-up time needed; our advisors have been ready and prepared to rebuild the cruise industry since the shutdown. I'm looking forward to working closely with the cruise lines to start filling their ships and other travel brands to send them travelers.

One of the best silver linings there will be from the cruise vacation side of things is that there have been great enhancements in providing additional convenience which is a benefit of the many 'contactless' technologies that were invented. One of the best examples is the change to the muster drill announced by Royal Caribbean. I for one am very glad the muster drill process will be changing. With the new technologies launched, it will be easier than ever for passengers to take a few minutes to check-in, rather than herding thousands of people into small uncomfortable spaces.

I do hope that all travel brands see the value in working with travel advisors even more now - unfortunately, some still view travel professionals as competitors and push a 'book direct' message, but those who leverage the large sales force of travel advisors are winning since they hold the client's trust, which will be even more valuable moving forward."

Who she is: Travel Host and Executive Producer of the Emmy Award-Winning series, Places To Love

What she has done: Samantha Brown became a beloved travel host on The Travel Channel with shows like "Great Vacation Homes," "Great Hotels," "Girl Meets Hawaii," "Passport to Europe," "Passport to Latin America," "Green Getaways," "Passport to China," "Great Weekends" and "Samantha Brown's Asia." However, when she was no longer offered a job on The Travel Channel, she set out to establish her own production company in 2017, helped raise all funding, and went on to create a television series that truly represented her approach to travel. Places to Love is an Emmy award-winning series on PBS with its 4th season set to air in April 2021.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry? "A change in who we see and trust in the travel space. Space has been made for more diverse faces and perspectives and as travel starts to open up that needs to become less a trend and just what is normal."

Who she is: Area General Manager at Marriott International from Atlanta

What she has done: Erica Qualls-Battey oversees four properties including Atlanta downtown, mid-town and airport hotels, and Atlanta Marriott Marquis. She became the first African American to serve as general manager for a big convention hotel in the Marriott portfolio - the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

In her position, she's received awards such as General Manager of the Year while holding positions with Marriott International Host Hotels and the Georgia Lodging Association. She's also been recognized by the Atlanta CVB Hospitality Hall of Fame Induction, Atlanta Business League's Leadership Award, Atlanta Business League Induction Women of Influence Hall of Fame, and more.

She remains active in her community by serving on boards like the Executive Board Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau & Atlanta Hotel Council, Board of Directors for Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Central Atlanta Progress, and the International Women's Forum.

What changes would you like to see in the travel industry?

"If I could change one thing, it would be to have more women in senior leadership positions within the hospitality industry. Women lead brilliantly. We are humble, transformative leaders that focus on the culture and needs of the company. Our ability to create connections with people ensures others will follow suit. At Marriott, our most enduring core value for over 93 years, has been to put people first. When people feel valued, appreciated, and respected for their contributions, businesses thrive and communities thrive."

My hope is that this will lead us to build stronger communities with the commitment that we are all in this together, no matter who we are or what we look like."