Tilling worked in travel for more than 30 years, which included a more than 10-year spell with Funway Holidays, where she rose to the role of managing director.
"Melissa was an extremely loved daughter, sister, aunt and friend," said her family in a tribute issued to the travel trade press on Wednesday afternoon (3 July).
"She will be sorely missed by all of us, and I am sure within the travel industry, to which she devoted her life."
Travel pays tribute to ’one in a million’ Melissa Tilling
Tilling’s colleagues said she would be remembered as a passionate advocate for sustainability, known for driving positive change through her roles with various social entities and charities.
After standing down as managing director of Funway in August 2019, Tilling launched Charitable Travel during the pandemic, a social enterprise dedicated to investing in good causes.
The not-for-profit business allows customers to donate 5% of the cost of their holidays to charitable causes of their choice, and also encourages them to participate in volunteering efforts in-destination.
She followed up the launch of Charitable Travel with direct-sell operator Sustainable Journeys, focusing on offering mid-market holidays "with sustainability baked in" and making environmentally and ethically responsible travel more accessible.
The family tribute described her contributions to travel as "game-changing".
Charitable Travel’s head of marketing Ally Ware, who worked with Tilling at Funway, said: “Melissa was a well-known, highly respected and much-loved member of the industry and will be a huge loss to many, both professionally and personally.
"Her passion for creating a better, more sustainable travel industry was contagious and unwavering, and I sincerely hope her legacy will serve to inspire others to continue delivering travel as a force for good.”
Following her untimely passing, Tilling’s business affairs will be managed by her family.
Outstanding bookings with Charitable Travel, meanwhile, will be handled "as normal" by The Travel Network Group’s Worldchoice Group.
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