1960 saw the birth of the Pill, the Kariba Dam, and the modem and John F Kennedy won the Democratic Primary. Meantime, in the Thomas Cook offices in Berkeley Street, a small group of travel writers met for tea to talk about how the industry was in a state of terminal decline and Something Needed to Be Done. Sound familiar?

We are delighted that a few of those original members of the Guild are still members today, 50 years later. The seeds that they sowed have blossomed into a lively organisation with nearly 280 members – writers, broadcasters, editors, and photographers.

Over the years our family – because the Guild is far more than a dry association – has played host to an extraordinary cast of characters, from the greats such as the recently late lamented Egon Ronay, Maeve Binchy who has gone on to such enormous success as a novelist, and John Carter, Peter Hughes and Judith Chalmers, pioneers of travel television, who are thankfully very much still members of the Guild.

Then there were the eccentrics – who can forget Ken Westcott Jones’ diatribes on the Indian railway timetable or Chris Portway’s endless attempts to get arrested by the great dictators of the world?

Those of us who have worked closely at the heart of the Guild over the years know that it is an organisation which has helped to shape the travel industry in the UK, link generations of our members and PRs, provide an invaluable support network for freelancers and a powerful voice within tourism.

We thank those who have supported us over the last 50 years and look forward to the next 50. Personally we are extremely proud to have the honour of steering the Guild through this anniversary year.

Melissa Shales Chair
Mary Anne Evans Vice-Chair and Chair of 2010 Committee