The second everywoman in Travel awards is now open for entries following a successful inaugural year in 2017.

This year will see four new categories added by everywoman, a mentoring organisation dedicated to the advancement of women in business.

Among the four new accolades will be an award for a man who has helped to progress the cause of women in the workplace.

Karen Gill, everywoman co-founder, said: “We launched the everywoman in Travel awards last year to recognise the best female talent in the industry and encourage tomorrow’s brightest leaders to explore the hugely diverse career opportunities in the sector.

“From aviation and tourism to travel retail and entrepreneurship, we’re keen to address the shortage of women at senior level positions and work towards a more gender-balanced workforce.

“This year, we also wanted to celebrate the work that many men are doing to encourage more gender-balanced work forces at a senior level, which is why we have introduced the Male Agent of Change Award.”

Gill said the organisation was “overwhelmed by the strength of the entries received last year” and that these had represented woman from across the industry at all stages of their career.

“The applications we received for the programme’s first year proved the dedication and tenacity that women in this industry possess,” she added.

"We look forward to unveiling more success stories in the years to come.”

Other new categories bring an international perspective to the awards, with one introduced to honour someone who works abroad.

Others will single out financial success and leadership skills.

Everywoman believes that although there is a relative abundance of women in the travel and hospitality industries, there is still work to be done to promote equality.

Travel and hospitality’s employment opportunities have been increasing at almost double the rate of the rest of the UK labour market since 2009 and it is now the UK’s third largest employer, accounting for 9.5% of total employment, according to Tourism Alliance statistics.

However, everywoman says that despite women accounting for 67% of all new travel employees, there is significant under-representation in senior positions.

According to the brand, women currently hold fewer than 40% of all managerial positions, fewer than 20% of general management roles, and represent only 15.8% of all board positions.

A judging panel is being assembled, with Jo Rzymowska, Celebrity Cruises’ vice-president and managing director, UK & Ireland and Asia, already confirmed. Celebrity is also a sponsor of the event.

“We were incredibly proud to be a founding sponsor of the inaugural everywoman in Travel Awards,” Rzymowska said.

“Seeing over 60 companies backing these awards with such high-quality nominations was impressive and inspiring.

“Our industry is only as strong as the people in it. The more diverse the people, the more inclusive the opportunities for progression and the more barriers to entry dismantled, the stronger it will be.”

Entries for the awards are free and are open until June 11.

Winners will be announced at a lunchtime awards ceremony at the East Wintergarden at London’s Canary Wharf on November 14.

To enter, visit the everywoman in Travel awards website.