2024 winners & finalists.
Bessie Award winners are chosen through a vote by all past WITS attendees. These votes are combined with the votes from the Bessies Society, a prestigious committee made up of all past Bessie Award winners.
Scroll down to see our finalists and vote.
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Collaboration of the Year
In support of working together, this award celebrates a successful collaboration by or between creators and brands to develop meaningful partnerships and accomplish shared goals.
Winner
Gabby Beckford x Intrepid Travel
Finalists
Anela Malik x Yelp
Colby Holiday x Expedia Group
Creator of the Year
Honoring a creator who has gone above and beyond in the past year to challenge the status quo as a thought leader in the industry.
Winner
Martinique Lewis
Finalists
Jen Ruiz
Meg Ten Eyck
Inclusion Award
For a brand that has shown outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion in the last year, whether in the form of a campaign, piece of content, partnership, or other initiative.
Winner
Vanessa Fondeur-Adams, Latino World Travelers/Latino Travel Fest
Finalists
Anita Moreau (née Francois), Black Travel Summit
Arianna Ambrutis, TTC IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Action)
JourneyWoman Award
presented by JourneyWoman
For a person who has demonstrated long-term commitment to working in and making the travel industry better.
Winner
Stephanie Jones, CEO of Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance, Inc. (CHEA)
Finalists
Julia Simpson, president of the World Travel & Tourism Council
Teara Fraser, lead executive of Iskwew Air
Social Impact Award
For an activity, campaign, or other initiative by an individual or brand that has shown innovation in ways that have positively impacted the travel community, or has developed their marketing in a sustainable and impactful way.
Winner
Packs Light, Study Abroad Redo Grant (SARG)
Finalists
Summits in Solidarity
World Nomads, Footprints Network
Trailblazer Award
For the go-getter who has thrived in the past year in building her own empire and carving out a path for future leaders in the travel space.
Winner
Catarina Rivera
Finalists
Aimon Ali
Victoria Leandra
Travel Startup of the Year
For an engaging, innovative and impactful startup that we as a community of influencers believe is changing the way we travel.
Winner
SoloTrvlr
Finalists
Flex-N-Fly
Mount
Most Impactful Piece of Writing
For an inspiring, engaging, and community-oriented piece of writing that has encouraged dialogue and interaction in the last year.
Winner
Call You When I Land, Nikki Vargas
Finalists
"Can travel help save the world’s most threatened languages?" Joliene Carolina
"Dear Air France: My Wheelchair Is Like My Legs, Not My Luggage," Tanzila Khan
Wanderful Award
presented by Wanderful
For a brand that has gone above and beyond to support, empower, and represent women in the past year.