Three new Travel Pride Champions have been announced for 2022, honouring individuals for their work advocating diversity and inclusion within their businesses and with customers.
Seven individuals were shortlisted for the accolades, with the winners announced at last night’s (5 July) Travel Pride celebration in London, which saw more than 100 LGBT+ people and allies working in travel come together to celebrate diversity and inclusion.
The awards were presented by Dan Rios, director of LGBTQ+ marketing at Greater Miami & Miami Beach, which was the headline partner of Travel Pride, as well as by David McDonald, managing director of Chillimix, which co-partnered the event.
The winners were:
Judges noted how Genard spearheaded an impressive diversity-focused campaign with Celebrity Cruises, designed to change the meaning of “all-inclusive” within the travel industry. She was resolute in ensuring the project remained authentic rather than just a publicity stunt, with her passion and determination resulting in effecting real change in the industry – creating a free to use photo library packed with inclusive images.
Hawksey was noted as being instrumental in spreading the word about Virgin Atlantic’s LGBTQ+ network. He was described by peers as championing D&I at every opportunity, from recruiting country ambassadors in a drive to campaign for diversity, equity and inclusion around the world to personally selling rainbow lanyards to help raise money for local LGBTQ+ charities.
Meanwhile, Pease received several nominations from peers and colleagues and was described as a “pioneer” in promoting and developing and delivering training on LGBTQ+ to help colleagues. He remains so committed to championing LGBT+ rights, he has even committed to donating a portion of his business revenue to the LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall.
The full 2022 Travel Pride Champions shortlist:
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