New Year Honours for Abta destinations chief and responsible tourism pioneer
James ChappleSeveral senior travel leaders have been recognised for their efforts to make the sector’s impact better for people and planet in the King’s 2025 New Year Honours list.
Abta’s head of destinations Angie Hills has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her services to improving health, safety and security standards for Britons travelling overseas.
Meanwhile, Justin Francis, founder of self-styled activist operator Responsible Travel, has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to nature and the environment, as has Wild Frontiers chair John Brown for services to charity.
Hills joined Abta in 2008 following its merger with the Federation of Tour Operators, where she had been working since 1998. She heads up Abta’s destinations team, leading on matters of health, safety and security in travel, as well as operations and crisis response.
She oversaw development, production and launch of Abta’s health and safety technical guide, which is now in its fifth edition and used by accommodation providers, hotel associations, destination authorities and other stakeholders in more than 100 countries.
Hills also chairs both Abta’s health and safety and operational committees, bringing together members to collaborate on key topics to address any issues.
’Welcome recognition’
"Angie has developed close working relationships with representatives at the UK Foreign Office, the Joint Overseas Protect and Prepare team at the Home Office, UKHSA (the UK’s Health Security Agency) and NaTHNaC (National Travel and Health Network and Centre), as well as destination governments across the globe," said Abta.
"Using diplomacy and influencing skills, she is known for proposing practical solutions, for the benefit not only of travellers, but of staff working overseas, local workers and residents in the destinations."
Abta added Hills’ most recent focus had been to strengthen Abta’s response to the climate crisis, leading on development of a new training course for Abta members on natural disasters.
"Angie has worked tirelessly with our members and their customers to encourage improvements in health and security, and keep people safe," said Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer. "We are all excited at Abta to hear this news, which is very welcome recognition for Angie’s many years of commitment and expertise."
Francis, meanwhile, founded Brighton-based Responsible Travel in 2000 alongside Professor Harold Goodwin and with support from mentor Dame Anita Roddick, who founded the Body Shop.
Responsible Travel’s aim was, and continues to be, to drive change in tourism through alternative types of travel designed to reduce its negative impacts while maximising benefits for destinations and people.
The business has campaigned on a wide range of issues over the past nearly 25 years, including orphanage tourism and captive cetacean attractions, as well as overtourism, while advocating too for better standards of accessibility.
One particular focus has been to campaign against voluntary carbon offsets, and to advocate instead for systemic change – such as flight and carbon reduction, and efforts to restore nature.
Francis was appointed to the UK Council for Sustainable Business in 2018, serving as its nature lead advising government on its Environmental Improvement Plan and the role played by business. He also chairs Projects for Nature, a digital marketplace connecting nature restoration projects in the UK with corporate donors.
Making responsible travel ’a must-do’
"It’s a huge honour to be recognised for the work that I love," said France. "The responsible travel movement has come a very long way in 25 years. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, grateful to everyone who’s been part of creating change, and excited by the progress and innovation we’re seeing.
"Responsible business is not only possible, but profitable – proving that is essential to driving urgent industry reforms. There are obstacles still – in tourism and other sectors alike – but it’s encouraging to have seen what was once regarded as niche and oddball, progress to become a must-do for any credible business or tourism destination.
"Responsible tourism is uniquely positioned to support a fairer transition to a nature positive, low carbon future – generating vital conservation funding and income in the least advantaged communities and places of huge significance for biodiversity and carbon sequestration."
Other recipients
Other figures within travel and tourism to be bestowed New Year Honours include:
- (CBE) Fiona Pollard, board member of the VisitEngland Advisory Board, for services to tourism
- (OBE) Sarah Green, chief executive of the NewcastleGateshead Initiative, for services to tourism
- (OBE) George McIvor, chair of Master Chefs of Great Britain, for services to the catering and tourism industries, and to charitable fundraising
- (OBE) Niall McKenna, chef and owner of James St and Waterman House, for services to hospitality and to tourism, and to local food and drink producers in Northern Ireland
- (OBE) Kerrie Sweeney, chief executive of the Maritime Belfast Trust, for services to maritime heritage and to tourism in Northern Ireland
- (OBE) Ian Thomas, director, NewcastleGateshead Initiative, for services to tourism
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