Industry leaders named in New Year’s Honours List
Former Virgin Holidays managing director Amanda Wills, ex-VisitBritain chief executive Sandie Dawe, Visit Scotland chairman Michael Cantlay and Hilton Worldwide UK boss Simon Vincent have all been named in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
Wills, who left Virgin last May to become chairman of private online members club Urbanologie, was awarded a CBE for her services to the British travel industry.
Dawe, who was chief executive of VisitBritain for five years until last July, was given a CBE for services to tourism. She received an MBE in 2008.
Visit Scotland chairman Michael Cantlay was awarded an OBE for services to tourism and hospitality in Scotland.
Vincent, who is president, Europe, Middle East and Africa of Hilton Worldwide, was awarded an OBE for services to the hospitality industry. He was previously chief operating officer of Thomas Cook. He is presently co-chair of the UK Tourism Council, alongside the tourism minister, Helen Grant.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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