The second bi-annual award series for women, by women in travel and tourism

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Women have long been the backbone of the travel and tourism industry. From front desk clerks to sales executives to the presidents of cruise lines, the industry depends on women. The Pearson study, renowned for its conclusive findings that 30% representation of women in the corporate C Suite results in 15% increase in profitability is one of the data points that Women in Travel and Tourism International (witti) founder Laura Mandala and her Advisory Board point to as evidence of need to shine a light on the industrys top women.

On February 20, the light will shine on the Women in Travel and Tourism International Awards honoring the talent, accomplishments and worthiness of what peers have voted The Top Women in Travel and Tourism.

Mandala, who also heads travel market research company Mandala Research, said, Go to any conference, hotel desk, or airline counter and youll find the women on the front lines of this industry. Yet they are strikingly underrepresented in the roles where the most critical decisions are made about running the businesses. They are nearly non-existent at the very highest levels of leadership. We started this awards recognition program to highlight the talent, accomplishments, and worthiness of so many women for continued advancement to those most coveted and impactful roles in travel and tourism management.

More than 80 women and organizations have been nominated for the witti awards. Winners will be presented at the Connect Travel Marketplace on February 20 in Kissimmee, Florida.

This will certainly be a very memorable year for the Top Women in Travel Awards presented in concert with the Connect Travel Marketplace and is honored to have Kelly Craighead, President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association as its Master of Ceremonies.

It is an incredible honor to join WITTI in celebrating the contributions and leadership of women throughout the travel and tourism industry, said Craighead. I especially want to thank this years award-winners for continuing to chart the path for future generations of female leaders.

Shari Bailey, Vice President, Connect Travel who is one of the hosts of the event commented, Were thrilled that witti is honoring some of the brightest and most innovative women in the travel and tourism industry at this years Top Women in Travel Awards Dinner at Connect Travel Marketplace. The year's theme of "Powered by Passion" and with speakers like President Obama, wittis efforts to recognize trailblazers is very much in line with what were promoting."

The witti Top Women in Travel Awards, in their second bi-annual year, was the first, and remains the leading global awards for women of its kind.

The awards are part of wittis ongoing commitment to supporting, educating, and advocating for women who work in the travel industry. This years awards are awarded to the following women exemplifying excellence and achievement in these categories:

Outstanding Women in Destination Management and Marketing

Outstanding Women in Hospitality

Outstanding Woman in Shopping Tourism

Outstanding Women in Travel and Transportation

Rising Stars in Travel and Tourism

Outstanding Woman in Tourism Marketing

Outstanding Woman in Travel Blogging

Outstanding Woman in Travel/Tourism Media

Outstanding Woman in Travel Research

Outstanding Mentor in Travel and Tourism

Lifetime Achievement in Travel and Tourism Award

Dinner sponsors include

The awards were judged by Barbra Anderson, Founding Partner, Destination Better, Anne Madison, CEO, 357 Communications, LLC, Davonne Reaves, President, The Vonne Group Beth Offenbacker, Executive/Leadership and Career Coach, Consultant, and Strategic Advisor with Waterford, Inc.

About Witti

Wittismission is to enhance the success of women in the travel and tourism industry through peer-to-peer networking, advocacy, awards recognition, and professional development opportunities. The specific benefits witti offers its members include: networking through meetings, conferences and social networking platforms; recognition through the Top Women in Travel Awards; lead sharing; education and professional development; advocacy in promoting the visibility of women in the senior ranks of the travel industry; research on the status of women in industry. For more information about Witti, contact Laura@MandalaResearch.com, visit womenintravelandtourism.com and follow @witti.org on Twitter.

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ABOUT CONNECT TRAVEL Connect Travel creates efficient and effective environmentsto expedite the sales process by connecting tourism professionals with the products, services, people and ideas that allow them to thrive in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive global marketplace. For more information, visit ConnectTravel.com.

Media contact:Paul WilkeUpright Position CommunicationsTel: +1-415-881-7995Email:paul@uprightcomms.com

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WITTI to Honor Top Women in Travel with Travel Awards Dinner, Gives Voice to Pearson Findings on Gender Mix in the C-Suite - Yahoo Finance