Travel industry figures recognised in UK’s New Year Honours List

Several travel industry figures have been recognised on the UK’s New Year Honours List, which annually recognises the achievements of key figures across the UK. UKinbound chief executive Joss Croft has been recognised with an OBE for services to the tourism industry in the New Year Honours List. He joined the organisation in 2018 after more than 25 years spanning positions at the Department for International Trade and VisitBritain. Croft also held posts at the former London Tourist Board and Convention Bureau, Parc du Futuroscope and Disneyland Paris Resort. On receiving the reward, Croft said: “The news that I have received an OBE for services to the tourism industry has taken me completely by surprise.” “Both my team and the board at UKinbound have worked tirelessly to support me over the last two years through the toughest time that the industry has ever known, and I would like to pay tribute to them as they have enabled me to serve our members and the industry that I love, to the best of my abilities.” Alison Cryer, the founder of marketing, representation, and PR company Representation Plus, has been rewarded with an MBE for services to tourism and hospitality. Sonashah Shivdasani, the founder of Soneva luxury resorts and Six Senses, receives an OBE in the international and overseas list for services to tourism, sustainability and charity. Lynette Harrigan, marketing manager of the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board, has received an MBE in the international list for services to international travel during the Covid-19 pandemic and to the community in the BVIs. An MBE also went to Tony Rapson, former head of the general aviation safety strategy study at the Civil Aviation Authority for services to general aviation and aviation safety.