Jacks took away the TMAs’ prestigious Special Contribution award in recognition, said the organisers, of the "significant impact" of her writing and editorial leadership during her time with the publication.

TTG also retained the Travel Trade Publication of the Year (Online) and Trade Writer of the Year awards for the fourth year in succession.

Editor Sophie Griffiths, who is currently on maternity leave, was named Trade Writer of the Year, with TTG content writer Charlotte Cullinan also making the shortlist of six.

In addition, the night saw the announcement of the Travel Media Awards Step Up scheme, a new diversity initiative launched in partnership with TTG Media, APL Media, Finn Partners and Intrepid Travel, with next year’s awards set to be joined by the scheme’s first applicants.

Jacks joined TTG in 2006 on a work placement; she became features writer, and then features editor before being named editor in 2013 – a role she held until 2017 whereby she became group editor. She took up the role of editorial director earlier this year.

A fierce advocate for sustainability, both within TTG Media and throughout the travel sector, Jacks has spearheaded TTG’s mission to promote Smarter, Better, Fairer travel, culminating in the publication this year of TTG Media’s first climate action plan.

‘Positive change’

"Pippa exemplifies everything we look for from the TTG team, and represents the value TTG Media strives to uphold at all times," said TTG Media CEO Daniel Pearce.

"This honour is richly deserved, recognising both Pippa’s commitment to driving TTG’s Smarter, Better, Fairer mission, but also the trade media’s ability to advocate for – and achieve – positive change at all levels.

"For Sophie to be named Trade Writer of the Year and for Charlotte to make the shortlist is testament to the outstanding editorial talent within TTG, and to retain this award – as well as Trade Publication of the Year – for a fourth year in succession is something every member of the TTG Media team can be immensely proud."