IWTTF Awards Celebrate Changemakers, Highlighting Diversity and Inclusion in Travel

The International Women in Travel & Tourism Forum (IWTTF) Awards entered its third year, and this year, there was a lot of excitement in the air, especially for us at Halal Travel Network (HTN). We were all overjoyed and proudly celebrated as Hafsa Gaher, our Founder & CEO, received not one, but two prestigious awards. Gaher’s recognition wasn’t just a win for her but signals a win for those working to bring people together under the promotion of inclusive travel.

IWTTF is a key player in the travel industry to facilitate the growth, representation and promotion of women in the industry, offering them visibility, confidence, training, mentoring, allyship, and where necessary employment opportunities or contacts within the industry. Following the awards ceremony, attendees had the opportunity to attend a Forum business day, focusing on growth and travel trends for the coming year and the event’s waiting list reflected its fundamental importance and growing influence. 

A Stage for Inspiration and Inclusivity

MC for the awards, Jeannette Ceja (photo: IWTTF)

For many in the industry, IWTTF stands out amongst the most inspiring industry events of the year. This year's awards MC, Travel Journalist and TV Host Jeannette Ceja, was flown in from Los Angeles, USA, to add an extra prestige. When I caught up with her to find out what she made of it all, she was full of enthusiasm and praise.

“What an honour to have been the Master of Ceremonies for this year’s awards. I was incredibly inspired to meet all the women and men who were finalists, winners, and attendees. It was a heartwarming experience to see some of the winners overcome with tears of happiness. You could also feel the love and appreciation from everyone in the room as they celebrated the winners.” Ceja shared. 

Ceja further added, “I am grateful to Alessandra LoTufo Alonso and her Women in Travel CIC team and Hay Events for bringing together the most talented, trailblazing travel leaders for an essential IWTTF & Awards event to the world! Here’s to honouring and empowering more women in travel and tourism! I am looking forward to next year.”

Alessandra LoTufo Alonso, Founder and Managing Director of Women in Travel CIC and IWTTF (photo: IWTTF)

It was a diverse space where attendees engaged with individuals from different backgrounds, getting a sense of perspectives they might not have otherwise encountered. Alessandra LoTufo Alonso, Founder and Managing Director of Women in Travel CIC and IWTTF, said, “Every year of the IWTTF Awards, I am increasingly impressed with the quality and variety of the nominations, and I am so proud to recognise and celebrate all of our deserving winners and finalists.” 

She also highlighted the genuine importance of changemakers by sharing, “Many of our winners are unsung heroes and changemakers in the DEI space, whose work is often undervalued or under-recognised and yet is having real impact. In the spirit of Women in Travel CIC, we are shining a light on this great work.”

To add further significance, this year’s keynote speech was from the Executive Director of UN Women UK and former Deputy Leader of the Women’s Equality Party UK, Tabitha Morton. She explained, “If travel is a vehicle for transformation, let it transform us as an industry. Let it compel us to confront injustice where we see it, and help us to move towards equality for all, because when you get equality for women, it helps men as well.”

Executive Director of UN Women UK and former Deputy Leader of the Women’s Equality Party UK, Tabitha Morton (photo: IWTTF)

Tackling Tough Topics

Challenging topics discussed during the Forum this year (photo: IWTTF)

During the forum, IWTTF tackled challenging topics head-on. This year, an impactful session with Gary Ford of Men for Inclusion underscored the necessity of men's active role in inclusion, emphasising that an equal world benefits everyone. This frank discussion highlighted the twin challenges: men often lack safe spaces to navigate societal shifts, whilst women continue to fight for fundamental equality. Actual progress requires more men to collaborate actively for inclusion.

Another discussion point was that a strong commercial argument further reinforces the social imperative: women drive 81% of travel decisions, with Virtuoso Travel's Matthew Upchurch noting the solo woman in her 60s as the primary luxury traveller. The message was loud and clear: if businesses ignore women's insights, it’s commercially negligent for the industry's long-term success.

The Impact of Recognition: Halal Tourism and HTN's Rise

Hafsa Gaher, with her double award, along with Sara Amro and Sadia Ramzan, both have contributed to the success of HTN (photo: IWTTF)

What does this all mean for halal tourism? And why is a win like this for Gaher important for the work that HTN has been doing over the last year? I asked Gaher initially what she made of her achievements, and she shared, “My initial reaction? I was very surprised at the first, shocked and a bit emotional for the second one, and a bit embarrassed, if I’m honest. I really don’t enjoy being in the limelight, and it took me years to get (almost) comfortable speaking in public. I even joked to two good friends sitting next to me that I’m always the bridesmaid, never the bride. But there I was, leaving with two awards.”

She further added, “I felt humbled to have been recognised among such an amazing group of leaders in travel and tourism. And whilst I was standing there on stage, what really resonated and what will always stay with me was the loud, genuine cheering from the room. It felt like a quiet nod to all the behind-the-scenes work that’s gone into HTN since day one. That kind of support and sincerity meant everything.

(Photo: IWTTF)

Beyond her personal validation, I wanted to know what Gaher’s more comprehensive thoughts are on receiving recognition like this for women in the travel industry, especially for those who may be underrepresented, and for someone like Gaher, who is black, Muslim, and from Africa. 

“The broader message for me is that there’s real synergy across the different corners of the tourism industry, and awards like this show that you can be recognised while working in underrepresented spaces and building something you genuinely care about. What really stuck with me was the feeling of belonging in that room. It reminded me that there’s space for everyone in this industry and that your work matters even if it looks a little different to what people are used to,” Gaher expressed. 

(Photo: IWTTF)

As I’ve mentioned, Gaher’s recognition also highlights the phenomenal work that she has been doing at HTN. The key question now is, given her achievements, what she thinks this will do for the visibility and reach of HTN within the sector and amongst businesses, as well as halal tourism in general. 

“It definitely helps shine a light on what we’ve been building. HTN has always been about amplifying others and creating space for businesses, destinations, and individuals who don’t always get a seat at the table. Gaher said.

She also shared, “At a time when some people are questioning the value of inclusion, this kind of recognition quietly pushes back even harder. It reminds people that building for underserved markets isn’t a side project; it’s a smart, strategic move that reflects where the industry is going.” 

Gaher finished off by saying, “The awards bring visibility, yes, but more importantly, they spark conversations. People are reaching out, asking questions, wanting to understand what halal-conscious travel means. And that’s the kind of ripple effect I’d hoped for when we started this.”

Queenie Shaikh, pictured in the middle, picked up Highly Commended for the Woman Mentee of the Year Award (photo: IWTTF)

To add to the ripple effects Hafsa Gaher hoped for when she started, one of the mentees nominated for the Woman Mentee of the Year, receiving a Highly Commended recognition, Muslim journalist Queenie Shaikh, who has had great success since she was selected for Intrepid Travel’s inaugural Diversity in Travel Media press trip in September 2023, felt like her recognition was a culmination everything she has done in travel media.

Her journey getting into the travel space wasn’t plain sailing either, as she explained, “Even though I’m a trained journalist and have always worked as one, getting responses from editors was a struggle, and I have written for some of the world’s oldest and most prestigious titles. Travel journalism is incredibly competitive, not always the most diverse of industries, and it can be tough to break into. It took a while, but with the right mentors, the process gave me the guidance I needed.”

(Photo: IWTTF)

IWTTF did a tremendous job showcasing and presenting the industry the essential part women play within the sector. Especially for women from diverse backgrounds. Hafsa Gaher’s achievement serves as a powerful testament to the value of inclusive representation, proving that a strategic focus on underserved markets, such as halal-conscious travel, is integral to the industry's future success and comprehensive conversations around diversity. 

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