The John Hays Entrepreneur of the Year 2023

In tribute to one of travel’s greatest pioneers and entrepreneurs, John Hays, founder of the UK’s largest independent travel agency Hays Travel, this award will recognise the true entrepreneurial spirit of an outstanding personality who has disrupted the travel industry.

Entrants should have launched their business in the last three years (June 2020 - June 2023), or significantly changed the model or direction of their existing business in that timeframe.

The category is free to enter and entries will close on Friday 4 August.
This category is now closed

The John Hays Entrepreneur of the Year 2023

Entry criteria:

This category is open to owners/founders of travel businesses registered in the UK or Ireland.

Entry tips:

  • We prefer to recognise one individual instead of pairs or trios where possible. 
  • Include numbers, sales figures, % increases, ROI and evidence wherever possible. A great idea alone will not win this category: judges will need to see clear evidence the business is successful and sustainable. 
  • A supporting document or a personal, bespoke video can enhance your submission, but should not contain information that’s critical to your submission

The LGBT+ Trailblazer of the Year 2023

This award celebrates an individual – whether a junior employee or senior exec, straight or gay – who really champions the LGBT+ community and puts diversity and equality at the heart of everything they do, to make their company and/or the wider travel industry a more inclusive place.

You can nominate yourself, or nominate a colleague or peer, but you must have their permission.

This category is free to enter and entries will close on Friday 4 August 2023. Entries should relate to actions and activities in the period June 2022 – June 2023 wherever possible.
This category is now closed

The LGBT+ Trailblazer of the Year 2023

Entry criteria:

This category is open to anyone working in a travel business based in the UK or Ireland.

You will be asked to outline in 500 words what makes you (or your nominee) an ambassador for the LGBT+ community and for diversity and equality more widely.

Entry tips:

You might talk about:

  • Ways in which you/they have championed the LGBT+ community as customers, through marketing or PR or creating new products for example, with a focus on the last 12 months. How can you demonstrate the success and impact of your work?
  • Ways in which you/they have championed the LGBT+ community in your workplace, through inclusive recruitment processes, or creating employee networks, or providing training, or other initiatives, with a focus on the last 12 months. How can you demonstrate the impact of your work?
  • Ways in which you/they have championed the LGBT+ community in the wider travel and tourism industry, with a focus on the last 12 months
  • Ways in which you/they have championed equality and inclusivity more widely, beyond the LGBT+ community too, with a focus on the last 12 months

The Travel Legend of the Year 2023

A special award, presented by the TTG Media team and sponsor Silversea Cruises, which celebrates a unique individual who has made a sustained and lasting contribution to the travel industry.

The winner could be someone who has stood up for the sector on a local, national, or international scale, or an individual who has made a unique contribution to their local community, or charity. They might be a very successful business leader on their own right – but how have they gone beyond their own business to lead others, to influence the wider market, and to effect change?

This category is free to enter and entries will close on Friday 4 August.
This category is now closed

The Travel Legend of the Year 2023

Entry criteria: Anyone in the industry is welcome to nominate a colleague or peer for this award. Please outline what makes them a legend within the UK and Ireland travel industry.

Entry tips:

Judges will be looking for:

  • Ways in which they have made a significant impact on the travel industry, or a company within the industry
  • A person who has served the industry for a number of years.
  • Someone who inspires others and supports peers/colleagues to achieve success.
  • A person who has been genuinely innovative in their approach to working in the industry
  • Measurable elements of personal success – e.g. within a company or through people who have worked with this individual then achieving great things