Chairman Fiona Jeffery OBE is to leave World Travel Market after 26 years to pursue other interests in the global travel and tourism industry. She will continue her role as Chairman of Just a Drop, the international water charity she founded in 1998. Reed Exhibitions has supported since this charity since its inception and will continue to do so.
Fiona, who received the OBE for services to tourism last year, is to take on fresh challenges after leading World Travel Market to its commanding position as one of the leading global events for the travel industry. In 1997, as Exhibition Director, she launched World Travel Market’s ‘Environmental Awareness Day’, which, with the support of the WTM team, she has developed into ‘WTM World Responsible Tourism Day’ since 2005 and it is now the biggest event of its kind worldwide.
As founder of the Just a Drop international water aid charity, she has also helped more than a million people in 30 countries to access clean, safe water. A further key milestone achieved by Fiona Jeffery and the WTM team has been the successful landmark WTM Ministers’ Programme in association with the UNWTO. Her work with Just a Drop has persuaded the industry, including many organisations, destinations, tourist boards and operators to regularly raise funds.
“I am sad to go after all this time but proud of the achievements that have been realised by myself and the World Travel Market team,” she said. “I leave behind a business that has grown to become a strong global brand.”
WTM will continue to be run by the existing and experienced management team led by senior Exhibition Director, Simon Press.
