Fiona Jeffery, chairman of World Travel Market, has won the prestigious Shine Women of the Year 2008 - Leadership Award. She was presented with the honor for leading World Travel Market over nearly 20 years, developing the event into a world-class brand, and managing difficult decisions such as the controversial move to ExCeL London in 2002 and its response to 9/11, when much of the global industry was in trauma.

She was also praised for pioneering key international initiatives such as WTM World Responsible Tourism Day and the founding of water-aid charity “Just a Drop" ten years ago on behalf of the international travel industry.

The news comes just days after World Travel Market announced it had had its largest record-breaking show, with an increase of 12 percent on visitors and a 4 percent rise in participants. Since their inception in 2004, the Shine Awards have recognized the increasingly important role played by women in travel, tourism, and hospitality by celebrating their success, professionalism, and care.

“I was absolutely delighted to receive the award, which is a tribute, not just to me, but the entire World Travel Market team",said Jeffery. “Together we have tried to make World Travel Market new, fresh, and exciting every year, but always with the aim of pushing the barriers addressing and tackling industry issues while, at the same time, helping the industry to expand business opportunities and improve profitability."

Jeffery said she was especially pleased with the success of WTM World Responsible Tourism Day in association with the UNWTO, the first global day of action of its kind, now in its second year. “Just a Drop," which has provided clean water to more than 900,000 children and families in 28 countries, attracts support and fundraising from travel companies and individuals worldwide.