20 Influential Women in the Travel Industry

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."