Two tourism bosses honoured by Queen
Visit England chair Lady Cobham and the chief executive of Visit Kent Sandra Matthews-Marsh have been recognsied in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Lady Cobham received a CBE for services to tourism while Matthews-Marsh collected an MBE for services to tourism in Kent.
Matthews-Marsh said: "I am very, very proud and honoured to receive this award which was totally unexpected.
"I have been privileged to be surrounded by amazing people for 28 years working in this wonderful industry. And this honour celebrates their tireless work which has created the successful and innovative partnerships and support networks that deliver tourism services for our visitors and our businesses."
Lady Cobham became a member of the board of VisitBritain in 1993 and deputy chairman in 2005.
She joined VisitEngland in 2009 when the tourist board was created and has been instrumental in driving forward the objectives of England’s strategic framework for tourism to maximise tourism’s contribution to the economy, employment and quality of life in England.’¨’¨
She said: "I’ve had many roles in tourism over the past 37 years and I’ve genuinely enjoyed every second of it.
"Tourism is incredibly important to our economy and I am committed to working with VisitEngland to drive forward the future growth of the visitor economy."
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
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026