TAAI Celebrated 75 Women of Wonder in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Mar 14, 2025 04:23

TAAI Celebrated 75 Women of Wonder in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

In a grand celebration of women’s leadership and excellence, the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) hosted the TAAI WoW Awards 2025 (Women of Wonder) to honour 75 trailblazing women from across the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors. The awards ceremony, held in New Delhi on March 12, marked a significant milestone as part of TAAI’s 75th-anniversary celebrations.

Recognizing the pivotal role of women in shaping the industry, TAAI’s WoW Awards 2025 spanned 20 Regions and Chapters across India. The event celebrated distinguished women leaders from government, media, aviation, and hospitality, acknowledging their exceptional contributions and inspiring journeys.

“When women rise, humanity thrives. These awards reflect our commitment to recognizing and empowering women leaders who drive innovation and transformation,” said Sunil Kumar R., President of TAAI.

Among the prominent awardees were: 

  • Smt. Pravati Parida, Dy. Chief Minister & Minister for Tourism & Child Development, Government of Odisha
  • Ms. Mughda Sinha, IAS, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
  • Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson & MD, The Lalith Suri Hospitality Group
  • Padma Shri Shovana Narayan, the renowned cultural luminary and renowned Kathak Dancer
  • Ms Rohini Bhatia, Chairperson, Interglobe Foundation
  • Ms Manju Sharma, Managing Director, Jaypee Hotels
  • Ms Radha Bhatia, Chairperson, Bird Group & President, Women in Aviation India

•    Ms Priya Paul, Chairperson, Apeejay Surrendra park Hotels Ltd
•    Ms Ranju Alex, Regional Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International
•    Ms Gursharn Goyal, Co-Founder & MD, STIC Group Travel
•    Ms Niharika Rai, IAS, Secretary Tourism, Govt. of NCT of Delhi
•    Ms Neeraj Ghei, Director, TRAC Representations
•    Ms Kadambini Mittal, Regional Vice President, India & SW Asia, Hyatt India Consultancy 
•    Ms Pallavi Mehra, Sr Group Director, Informa Markets
•    Ms Priyanka Nijhawan, Director, Nijhawan Group
•    Ms Sanjana Mohan, CEO, Deneb & Pollux Hotels Pvt .Ltd 
•    Ms Yummi Talwar, COO, VFS Global India
•    Ms Renu Kundaliya, Associate Director, Fairfest Media Pvt. Ltd
•    Ms Vandana Luthra, Founder, VLCC Health Care Ltd
•    Ms. Shivani Singh Deo, Country Manager, Virgin Atlantic, India
•    Ms Summi Sharma, VP ifly & Customer Service, IndiGo
•    Ms Purnima Nirurkar, Associate Vice President, Air India
•    Ms Taruna Jain, North & East India, Nepal, Bhutan & Bangladesh, AF – KLM
•    Ms Vasudha Sondhi, Managing Director, Outbound Marketing and Connect Worlwide India
•    Ms Sonia Bhalla, Regional Sales Manager, Air India.

Other distinguished awardees, situated out of New Delhi, are also declared.

•    HH Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara
•    Ms. Pooja Ray, Vice Chairman, Mayfair Hotels & Resorts
•    Ms. Neelu Khatri, Co Founder & Senior VP, Akasa Air
•    Ms Kanika Tekriwal, CEO & Co-Founder, JetSetGo

The laudable role played by Media in the evolution and education of Travel & Tourism Industry is appreciated. Awards for Seven Media Leaders were also declared and presented. 

1.    Ms Parul S Kesari, Editor-In-Chief, Safari Plus
2.    Ms. Reema S Lokesh, Founder, Reemarakabl
3.    Ms Priya Saxena Ray, Founder Editor, Business of Travel Trade (BOTT)
4.    Ms. Disha Shah Ghosh, News Editor, Travelbiz Monitor – Saffron Synergies Pvt. Ltd
5.    Ms Rajni Kalra, Director, DKL Publications Pvt. Ltd
6.    Ms Devika Jeet, DDP Publications
7.    Ms Gunjan Sabikhi, Founder Perfect Alliances, Director, More Media 


Other Industry Leaders awards presented locally by Regions / Chapters of India

1.    Ms. Nandini Chakraborty, IAS, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Government of India, West Bengal
2.    Ms. Sudha Renganathan, General Manager (Operations), Airports Authority of India, Kolkata
3.    Ms. Benazir Nazar, CEO & Director, Akbar Holidays, Mumbai
4.    Ms. S. Padmavathy, Asst. Director, India Tourism, Chennai
5.    Mrs. R. Parimala, Principal, Institute of Hotel Management, Chennai
6.    Ms. Smita Sabharwal, Secy. to Government -  Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture, Government of Telangana
7.    Ms. Parul Kulshreshtha Singh, Head- Business Development & General Manager (Cargo), GMR Group, Hyderabad
8.    Ms. Shama Pawar, Deputy Director, Directorate of Tourism, Pune
9.    Mrs. Lodovina Quadros, Tourism Officer, Goa Tourism
10.    Ms Jocelyn Carvalho, General Manager, Deltin Suites
11.    Ms. Saidingpuii Chhakchhuak (IAS), Managing Director & Commissioner of Tourism, Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd.
12.    Smt. Salma K Fahim (IAS), Secy. to Government - Dept. of Tourism, Government of Karnataka
13.    Ms. Sikha Surendran, IAS, Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala
14.    Smt. Sandhya Haridas, Assistant Director, Ministry of Tourism, Kochi
15.    Dr. Yamini Karmarkar, Director, IIPS, DAVV
16.    Ms. Deeba Khalid, Deputy Director for Publicity  (Publicity), J&K Tourism
17.    Rani Ratna Kumari Shahapura, Shahpura Hotels & Resorts, Rajasthan
18.    Ms Tripty Pandey, Rajasthan’s Cultural Ambassador

The TAAI WoW Awards 2025 underscore the association’s unwavering commitment to fostering gender equality and empowering women leaders who are shaping the future of travel and tourism in India.

 

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