Women in Travel CIC

Women in Travel CIC Connecting diverse Female+ talent to employment and enterprising opportunities in the Travel Industry

21/08/2026

☕ What if your next trip to Ethiopia started in Shepherd’s Bush?

Ethiopian Flavours in Shepherd’s Bush with Coffee Ceremony

Travel to Ethiopia without ever leaving London.

Join Sefanit, a warm and welcoming Ethiopian host, as she takes you on a vibrant journey through Shepherd’s Bush Market, sharing the rich flavours, cultural traditions, and stories of her homeland. Discover authentic ingredients, connect with Ethiopian heritage, and experience the sights, sounds, and aromas that make this culture so unique.

The experience ends with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, a cherished ritual of hospitality accompanied by delicious snacks.

📍 Shepherd’s Bush, London
🕥 Thursday, Friday & Saturday | 10:30 AM
⏳ 3 hours
💷 £77 per person

🔗 Book your spot today!
www.womenintravelcic.com/entrepreneurship/women-led-tours

In the Judging Chair: Dee Gibson, Founder of Kalukanda HouseSome leaders do more than create beautiful spaces, they use ...
20/08/2026

In the Judging Chair: Dee Gibson, Founder of Kalukanda House

Some leaders do more than create beautiful spaces, they use design, storytelling and travel to shift perspectives, celebrate culture and open up new possibilities. Dee Gibson is one of those leaders.

An award-winning designer and founder of Kalukanda House in Sri Lanka, Dee has built a destination that is as much about people, place and purpose as it is about hospitality.

Listed by Condé Nast among the Best Places to Visit in Asia in 2024, Kalukanda House is a design-led retreat created from the ground up in 2017, rooted in local creativity, cultural storytelling and a modern vision of Sri Lanka.

Through her work, Dee uses travel as a platform to highlight the island through its people, narratives and lived experiences. Her hotel connects travellers with grassroots and indigenous experiences, while her wider platforms, including her podcast, continue to champion culture, creativity and community.

Dee is also the founder of HERA Project X, Sri Lanka’s first platform showcasing creative female entrepreneurs, reflecting her passion for elevating women’s voices and creating meaningful commercial opportunities.

A regular speaker, host and panellist, Dee was named Woman Leader in Hospitality 2025 at the IWTTF Awards and was listed among Travel Pulse’s “23 Women to Watch in Travel in 2023.”

She also serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for Sri Lankan NGO Their Future Today.

We’re delighted to welcome Dee as one of our IWTTF Europe judges, bringing her creativity, purpose-led leadership and global perspective to this year’s awards.

The finalists for the IWTTF 2026 Awards will be announced soon, and we would love you to join us in Utrecht as we celebrate the winners, finalists and changemakers shaping a more inclusive future for travel and tourism.

🏆 IWTTF Awards Ceremony
📅 16 September 2026
📍 Union House, Utrecht

Register to attend: www.iwttf.com


✨ From global travel brands to cultural institutions, government partnerships and boardrooms, Carol Dray brings a rare b...
20/08/2026

✨ From global travel brands to cultural institutions, government partnerships and boardrooms, Carol Dray brings a rare breadth of experience to the IWTTF Europe stage.

Carol is an accomplished executive, board director and strategic advisor with more than three decades of experience helping global brands grow, transform and stay ahead of changing markets. In January 2025, she launched her independent consultancy, where she now specialises in audience-centric strategies that help organisations scale, innovate and adapt with confidence.

Her career spans an impressive range of sectors, including travel, tourism, sport, arts and culture. Carol has worked with some of the industry’s most recognised names, including Avis, British Airways, Flight Centre, Lastminute.com, Thomas Cook, VisitBritain/VisitEngland, The Travel Corporation and The Royal Ballet School.

Beyond the commercial world, Carol brings deep experience in governance, charity, non-profit and public-sector work, having collaborated closely with UK government departments including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Education.

Today, Carol advises, mentors and leads strategic projects across technology, AI, aviation, attractions and cultural experiences. She is also expanding her Non-Executive Director portfolio, bringing her insight and leadership to organisations including Gail Kenny Executive Travel Recruitment, London Transport Museum, Ramble Worldwide and Adventure Travel Networking.

A recognised champion for industry excellence, Carol is a Fellow and past Chair of the Institute of Travel & Tourism, a former board member of UKinbound and a member of the Association of Women Travel Executives.

We can’t wait to welcome Carol to the IWTTF Europe stage for what promises to be an insightful and energising conversation.

📅 17 September 2026
📍 Dotslash, Utrecht

Register now: www.iwttf.com



✨ Meet the IWTTF Europe Judge: Debbie O’Neill, Managing Director, Jules Verne Ltd  Great leadership is not just about re...
19/08/2026

✨ Meet the IWTTF Europe Judge: Debbie O’Neill, Managing Director, Jules Verne Ltd

Great leadership is not just about results, it is about creating environments where people feel safe, valued, heard and able to thrive. That is exactly what Debbie O’Neill has championed throughout her career.

As Managing Director of Jules Verne and Chair of AWTE - the Association of Women Travel Executives, Debbie brings more than 30 years of travel industry experience, alongside a deep commitment to human-centred leadership, psychological safety and workplace cultures built on trust and belonging.

A qualified coach, NLP practitioner and trauma-informed leader, Debbie is passionate about helping individuals and organisations understand the powerful link between wellbeing, inclusion and performance.

Through her leadership and her work with AWTE, she continues to open up important conversations around authentic leadership, empathy and creating spaces where people can bring their whole selves to work.

Debbie is also a regular speaker on leadership, resilience and leading with humanity, drawing on her own experience of building high-performing teams and navigating change with courage, compassion and clarity.

We’re proud to welcome Debbie as one of our IWTTF Europe judges, helping us recognise the people and organisations shaping a more inclusive, thoughtful and resilient future for travel and tourism.

🏆 IWTTF Awards Ceremony

📅 16 September 2026
📍 Union House, Utrecht

Join us as we celebrate the changemakers, leaders and organisations making a real impact across the industry.

Register to attend: www.iwttf.com



19/08/2026

Delighted to introduce one of our newest women-led immersive experiences: 🌿

Hidden Edinburgh Women’s Nature Tour: Myths & Botanical Workshop with Martina Berger

Think you know Edinburgh? Think again.

Join Martina as she uncovers the city’s lesser-known stories on a journey through riverside paths, healing wells, and hidden gardens. Along the way, discover the women, plants, folklore, and traditions that have quietly shaped Edinburgh’s rich heritage.

The experience concludes with a hands-on botanical workshop, where you’ll create your own bespoke blend to take home — a perfect souvenir infused with local history and nature.

Proudly supported by the TUI Care Foundation.

📍 Edinburgh
🕙 Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10:00 AM
⏳ 3 hours
💷 £52 per person

🔗 Book your spot today!
https://www.womenintravelcic.com/entrepreneurship/women-led-tours/hidden-edinburgh/


✨ IWTTF Europe Speaker Spotlight: Koula Achillea  We’re delighted to shine the spotlight on Koula Achillea, Finance Dire...
18/08/2026

✨ IWTTF Europe Speaker Spotlight: Koula Achillea

We’re delighted to shine the spotlight on Koula Achillea, Finance Director at Marella Cruises, who will be joining us at IWTTF Europe 2026.

With nearly 20 years’ experience across the leisure, travel and hospitality sectors, Koula brings a powerful mix of commercial insight, hands-on leadership and strategic vision. She has supported businesses with turnovers ranging from £60 million to £700 million, helping them navigate growth, transformation, investment and change.

Her expertise spans finance, revenue management, procurement, transformation and legal functions, always with a sharp focus on operational excellence, long-term planning and sustainable business performance.

Before joining Marella Cruises, Koula held senior Finance Director roles at Oakman Group and Butlin’s, where she worked closely with operators and owners to enhance guest experience, improve profitability and support ambitious growth and investment programmes.

At IWTTF Europe, Koula will join the panel:
"Leadership in Times of Uncertainty: Why Inclusion Is the Smart Thing — Not Just the Right Thing to Do”

Expect a thoughtful, practical and inspiring conversation on inclusive leadership, resilience and the business value of diverse perspectives in uncertain times.

📅 17 September 2026
📍 Dotslash, Utrecht

Register now: www.iwttf.com


18/08/2026

🚨 Just 30 Days to Go Until IWTTF Europe 2026! 🚨

The excitement is building, the conversations are starting, and the countdown is officially on! 🔥

On 16–17 September, the travel industry’s most inspiring voices, changemakers, and leaders will come together in Utrecht, The Netherlands for two days of connection, celebration, and action at the International Women in Travel & Tourism Forum (IWTTF) and the IWTTF Awards.

🏆 IWTTF Awards | 16 September | 📍 Union House, Utrecht
💡 IWTTF Forum | 17 September | 📍 Dotslash, Utrecht

✨ Don't miss your chance to be part of the movement shaping the future of travel.

Here's what's waiting for you:

🎤 Inspiring speakers and thought-provoking discussions
🌍 Diverse global perspectives driving meaningful change
🤝 High-impact networking with industry leaders and allies
💥 Fresh ideas, bold conversations, and actionable insights

Whether you're looking to learn, connect, celebrate, or lead change, IWTTF Europe 2026 is where it all happens.

🔗 Secure your place today: www.iwttf.com

🚀 Be in the room. Be part of the conversation. Be part of the change.

🏆 Spotlight on Our 2026 IWTTF Awards Judge: Hafsa Gaher  Some people don’t just champion change, they help build the fut...
17/08/2026

🏆 Spotlight on Our 2026 IWTTF Awards Judge: Hafsa Gaher

Some people don’t just champion change, they help build the future they want to see.

We’re thrilled to welcome back Hafsa Gaher, Founder & CEO of Halal Travel Network, as a 2026 IWTTF Awards Judge.

And she knows a thing or two about winning. 👀

🏆 Double winner at the 2025 IWTTF Awards
🌍 Founder & CEO of a global B2B halal tourism network
🎤 International speaker & recognised inclusion advocate
💡 Mentor to the next generation of tourism entrepreneurs
♀️ Passionate champion for greater visibility and opportunities for women

Through Halal Travel Network, Hafsa is helping build the infrastructure for a more inclusive halal tourism ecosystem, from training and trade engagement to market visibility and destination development.

In 2025, her impact was recognised with two IWTTF Awards:

🏆Woman Leader in Travel and Tourism – Individual Entrepreneur
🏆 Allyship Hero – Individual

Now, she returns to the IWTTF Awards from the other side of the table , bringing entrepreneurial experience, lived perspective and a sharp eye for meaningful allyship and measurable impact.

✨ Who will take home the 2026 IWTTF Awards?

Join us in Utrecht to celebrate the people, businesses and ideas pushing our industry forward.

📍 Union House, Utrecht
📅 16 September 2026
🔥 Be part of the conversation. Be part of the celebration.

👉 Register now: www.iwttf.com


14/08/2026

🇵🇸 Discover Palestine in London: History, Culture & Hidden Connections

What if you could experience Palestine without leaving London?

Join local storyteller Carol Hage on a 3-hour walking tour that takes you beyond the familiar streets of London and into a rich story of culture, identity, memory and resilience.

👣 Along the way, discover:

🎨 The creative world of Ibraaz
🥙 The irresistible aromas and flavours of freshly made falafel
🧵 The colours, stories and craftsmanship of traditional Palestinian embroidery at Palestine House
📖 Britain’s often-overlooked historical connections with Palestine
❤️ Personal stories and family connections that bring history to life

This isn’t just a walking tour.

This is an invitation to see London through a different lens, to discover the people, places, flavours and stories that connect two histories, while celebrating the enduring richness of Palestinian culture and identity.

Led by Carol, whose own family has personal connections to Palestine, the experience brings together food, art, history and storytelling in a deeply personal and unforgettable journey.

✨ Come curious. Leave connected.

📅 Wednesdays & Fridays
⏰ 11:00 AM
⏳ 3 hours
💷 £77 per person

This tour is supported by the TUI Care Foundation.

👉 Discover the tour & book your experience: https://www.womenintravelcic.com/entrepreneurship/women-led-tours/discover-palestine/



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