IWTTF, whose founding sponsor is Intrepid Travel, was created in 2019 to provide an inclusive platform for women and male allies to discuss the acceleration of diversity and inclusion in the travel sector. 

The 2023 event will be held on 22 June at Women in Travel partner Google’s London offices, with the awards likely to take place the evening before.

The award categories will specifically reflect Women in Travel’s mission and core pillars, comprising leadership; mentoring; allyship; diversity, equity and inclusion and talent and recruitment, with individual and company categories.

Alessandra Alonso, managing director and founder of Women in Travel, said being in the room at IWTTF 2022 and "feeling the passion that so many people in the industry share for our mission" inspired the association to add the awards element.

"We want to recognise those companies and individuals who are campaigning for more diversity in our industry, actively supporting women into roles in travel and developing that talent through mentoring and allyship," she added.

Jo Rzymowska, vice-president and managing director EMEA for Celebrity Cruises, said: "I had the privilege of being surrounded by the most incredibly diverse group of people at the International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum. There were so many inspirational stories and insightful conversations."

Meanwhile, Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership, added: "When you bring together a group of diverse speakers, who genuinely care about supporting each other in such an authentic and honest manner, great things happen. It truly was an inspirational and thought-provoking day."
 

Daniel Pearce, chief executive of TTG Media, said: "It’s been brilliant to watch the International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum grow in size, profile and importance over the past three years and given TTG’s mission for Smarter Better Fairer travel I’m delighted to have been involved with both the forum and male allyship programme.

"There is every opportunity for male allies across the industry to get more involved with next year’s event, and I look forward to TTG once again playing a part in spreading the word."