International Women’s Day 2026 – The women shaping the travel industry
Travel and adventure have never been industries defined by one single path. Whether building a hospitality brand in the Alps, pioneering new ways to explore the world, or pushing the boundaries of human performance in extreme environments, women are increasingly shaping the future of how and where we travel.
This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating a number of women across the Heaven portfolio who are influencing travel in very different ways. From entrepreneurs and hoteliers to athletes and industry leaders, each of them is helping redefine what leadership, exploration and innovation can look like.
Kat Judge – Co-Founder (AliKats)
AliKats has become one of Morzine’s most recognisable chalet companies, known for its beautifully designed properties, thoughtful hospitality and strong commitment to sustainability. The company recently achieved B Corp certification, reflecting its focus on responsible tourism and long-term environmental impact.
Behind the design-led chalets and seamless guest experience is co-founder Kat Judge, who has taken a considered and values-driven approach to building the business.
“Building AliKats has shown me that a business can be both ambitious and values-led,” says Judge. “I’m proud that we’ve created a company that prioritises people, the environment and long-term thinking, proving that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of what matters most.”
It’s an approach that increasingly resonates with travellers who want their holidays to reflect the same values, thoughtful design, responsible tourism and genuine hospitality.
Géraldine Fasnacht – Wingsuit Pilot & Adventurer (Verbier)
Swiss athlete Géraldine Fasnacht, who is based in Verbier, has built an extraordinary career exploring the limits of human flight in some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. Originally a professional freeride snowboarder, Fasnacht won the legendary Verbier Xtreme competition three times before turning her focus to wingsuit flying and BASE jumping. Today she is widely recognised as one of the pioneers of the sport, often referred to as the “bird woman” of the Alps.
Guided by her personal motto, “Let yourself be inspired by nature,” Fasnacht’s projects explore both the beauty and the power of the natural world. From flights around the Matterhorn to expeditions in Antarctica, her work combines technical precision, creativity and a deep respect for the environments she moves through.
The Swiss freeride snowboarder, base jumper, glacier plane pilot and wingsuit pioneer has built a career around some of the most challenging mountain environments on earth, continually redefining what is possible.
Janie Burt – Managing Director (Solos)
Adventure travel is increasingly being driven by solo female travellers, particularly those aged 50 and over. Recognising this shift, Solos has introduced a new programme of women-only group tours designed specifically for women who want the independence of solo travel combined with the camaraderie and reassurance of travelling with other women.
The trips bring together small groups in culturally rich destinations including Morocco, India and Greece, and remove one of the biggest barriers to solo travel: the single supplement, with private rooms included as standard.
“Women aged 50+ are driving the demand for solo travel and we’re delighted to offer experiences created by women, for women,” says Janie Burt, Managing Director at Solos. “These trips allow travellers to connect not only with each other, but also with women in the destinations they visit, creating meaningful cultural exchanges.”
Jocelyn and Marie Sibuet – Maisons & Hôtels Sibuet (Megève)
The Sibuet family story in Megève began more than 40 years ago when Jocelyne and Jean-Louis Sibuet set out to create intimate mountain hotels rooted in authenticity and a strong sense of place. Their vision first came to life with Les Fermes de Marie, now one of the most sought-after hotels in Megève. Known for its warm atmosphere, antique interiors and traditional alpine design, the property helped redefine luxury mountain hospitality.
Today the next generation is continuing that legacy. Marie Sibuet now leads the Maisons & Hôtels Sibuet group alongside her brother Nicolas, expanding the family’s distinctive approach to hospitality into new destinations while remaining true to its original philosophy.
Rather than chasing trends, the Sibuet family has built a reputation for creating hotels that feel deeply connected to their surroundings, celebrating regional craftsmanship, design and culture.
Breezy Johnson – Olympic Downhill Champion (Jackson Hole)
Across the Atlantic, the mountains of Wyoming continue to produce some of the world’s most formidable ski racers. Jackson Hole athlete Breezy Johnson recently secured Olympic gold in the women’s downhill at the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina, becoming only the second American woman to win the event after Lindsey Vonn.
Raised in the shadow of the Tetons and shaped by Jackson Hole’s famously steep terrain, Johnson’s path to the podium has been anything but straightforward. After injuries and setbacks earlier in her career, she fought her way back to the top of the sport, winning the Downhill World Championship in 2025 before delivering a breathtaking Olympic performance at speeds exceeding 70mph.
Her success reflects the spirit of the Jackson Hole mountain community, resilient, determined and unafraid of a challenge. (Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is represented by Heaven Publicity)
There isn’t one way to succeed in the mountains. It might look like entrepreneurship, adventure, hospitality or elite sport. What connects these women is a shared mindset: resilience, creativity and the courage to carve their own path.
And perhaps that’s what International Women’s Day is really about, recognising the many different ways women are shaping the world around them, sometimes quietly, but always powerfully.
