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JourneyWoman Awards celebrate women over 50 in travel

For our 30th anniversary, on the sage advice of our JourneyWoman Women’s Advisory Council, we are launching the JourneyWoman Awards in 2024. These will be annual awards, intended to celebrate the wisdom and influence of women over 50 in travel and present women of all ages with role models, while creating a more equitable and inclusive travel industry. The first new Award, the JourneyWoman Evelyn Hannon Solo Travel Award, will be given out on International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024, with three others to follow in 2024. 

“Our 30th anniversary as the world’s first and longest-serving women’s solo travel publication is the perfect opportunity to launch our own awards, which honour the influence and importance of women over 50 – as decision makers, thoughtful travellers and service providers. These women are making a difference in the world through travel,” says Carolyn Ray, CEO, JourneyWoman. “With these Awards, it’s my intention to bring these incredible women into the spotlight and honour their wisdom and leadership as solo travellers, innovators and entrepreneurs.” 

In JourneyWoman’s most recent global study, “The Influence and Affluence of Solo Women 50+ in Travel”, 70% of women over 50 said they felt undervalued and ignored by the travel industry. Women also expressed concern about the lack of age-appropriate and diverse photography, a desire to see more appropriate terminology to describe older women and more emphasis on mobility and accessibility requirements. 

Women over 50 are not ‘old’, but experienced. Not sedentary but adventurous. Not dependent but independent. Not alone but powerful. Not behind the industry, but ahead of it. These are women who challenge convention, follow their own path and wait for the rest of the world to catch up. It’s time they were recognized and honoured, and who better to do it than JourneyWoman.

Nominate a woman over 50 for one of three JourneyWoman Awards by April 30, 2024 

Nominate a woman over 50 for one of three JourneyWoman Awards

1. The JourneyWoman Solo Travel Wisdom Award

This JourneyWoman Award is given to a woman over 50 who generously shares her wisdom gained through travel, and inspires other women to discover the transformative power of independent travel for women by sharing her stories and experiences. 

This woman uses her voice to inspire others, challenges status quo thinking and exemplifies the values of a JourneyWoman – kind, generous, grateful and courageous. She knows that solo travel is not a ‘new trend’ but rather an evolving movement and may have been part of JourneyWoman since its founding in 1994. While this woman may have a travel business, we are really seeking an ‘everyday’ woman who is following her heart and passion to make her dreams happen, and is willing to be a role model for other women over 50 by sharing her wisdom and experiences.

This woman is nominated by JourneyWoman readers, with the final selection by the JourneyWoman Women’s Advisory Council. In 2024, this Award will be announced in Fall 2024. In subsequent years, the Award will be given out annually on International Women’s Day, starting in 2025. 

2. The JourneyWoman Purpose-Driven Entrepreneur Award

This JourneyWoman Award is given to the leader of a woman-owned or led travel business who is over 50 and is intended to support small and medium-sized businesses, entrepreneurs and women over 50 who have followed their passion and purpose to create a business in service to women. This audacious entrepreneur works to build a more equitable, sustainable and prosperous world for all through travel.

This woman is an activist and community-builder – she anticipates the needs of women over 50, advocates for positive change in the travel industry and empowers women 50+ to travel with intention as a way to reach their full potential. This woman uses her business to create meaningful change. She hires women in her business, collaborates with women on in local communities, and supports causes that she is passionate about.

Perhaps this is a woman who has left a corporate career to start her own business, or helps women on their journeys through coaching or by creating transformational and sustainable travel experiences.  She could be a tour company owner, entrepreneur, coach, writer, advisor or travel agent. 

This woman is chosen by JourneyWoman readers, with the final selection by the JourneyWoman Women’s Advisory Council and expert advice from Alessandra Alonso, CEO, Women in Travel CIC, our 2021 JourneyWoman Award winner. In 2024, this Award will be announced in Fall 2024. In subsequent years, the Award will be given out annually on International Women’s Day, starting in 2025. 

3. The JourneyWoman Innovation in Women’s Hospitality Award

This JourneyWoman Award is given to a woman who owns or manages an accommodation and creates safe, unique and memorable experiences for women over 50. Considerations such as mobility, accessibility, and safety are paramount. To be eligible, this woman must be a business owner listed on a third-party booking site such as booking.com or similar, as opposed to individuals renting a private property. Private Airbnb owners are not eligible. 

This person will be chosen by JourneyWoman readers, with the final selection by the JourneyWoman Women’s Advisory Council, with counsel from expert judge Emily Goldfischer, Editor, hertelier and Laura Fairweather, Switzerland Tourism.  In 2024, this Award will be announced in Fall 2024. In subsequent years, the Award will be given out annually on International Women’s Day, starting in 2025. 

Nominations and timelines for 2024

You can submit a nomination for yourself or someone you know.  

• Nominations open on February 20 and close on April 30, 2024.
• Judging will take place between April 30 and May 22, 2024.
• Winners will be announced at JourneyWoman 30th anniversary events around the world in 2024. (Check back soon for the schedule!)
• In 2025, winners will be announced annually on International Women’s Day in March.
• All winners will be profiled in JourneyWoman editorial and in our Soul of Travel Podcast.

Judging process

Judging is being conducted by our Women’s Advisory Council, which represents highly experienced solo travellers, industry experts and travel professionals from around the world.

Judges will evaluate nominations based on:

• The quality of the nomination received for that particular nominee
• How strongly the nomination relates to the award category  
• Personal knowledge or experience with those nominated

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