The Tourism Society board, led by chair Deborah Heather, awarded the prize to Dame Irene, chair and owner of Hays Travel, for what they described as “an unwavering dedication to careers in tourism and exemplary leadership over several decades”.
Receiving the award from Tourism Society president Lord Thurso at the House of Lords on Monday evening (20 October) Dame Irene said she accepted the award on behalf of “all our exceptional people at Hays Travel”.
“Whether they are training our latest intake of apprentices or working in one of our 500 branches, our success as a business is down to their care for our customers and support for their local communities,” she said.
"In my view, the UK tourism industry is the most exciting sector there is, and this event and honour are a reminder of our role as trainers and employers of highly skilled people and our value to the UK economy."
The Tourism Society Award is presented annually to individuals or organisations that have made an exceptional contribution to the development of tourism in the UK. Last month, Dame Irene was awarded the Travel Legend award at TTG’s Travel Industry Awards 2025.
Lord Thurso added: "The Tourism Society is honoured that Dame Irene Hays has accepted the Tourism Society Award and to count her among the distinguished recipients over the past 48 years. Dame Irene’s achievements in championing careers in tourism are truly exemplary."
