TV Star honoured for a lifetime of holiday advice

The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to an individual for long-term contributions to the travel industry.This year, in a surprise move, it was given to one of our own members – Judith Chalmers OBE, TV travel presenter most closely associated with 'Wish You Were Here'.

Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition for thirty years of worldwide travel coverage for Wish You Were Here…? Judith Chalmers said, "I am overwhelmed and thrilled to be given this award. I've been a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers for many years and it means so much to me to be recognised by them for doing a job I have enjoyed for so long."

Presenting the certificate and crystal vase, Mary Johns, Chairman of the Guild said, "This is a first for the Guild. We have never before presented our Lifetime Achievement Award to one of our own. It gives me great personal pleasure to recognise Judith's contribution to the evolution of television travel programmes. She, above anyone, has carved the travel journalist's way in TV and deserves recognition of her talents from among her colleagues."

In 1972 Judith Chalmers began presenting 'Wish You Were Here…?' The series regularly rated among the 'Top Ten', often achieving a weekly audience of around 13 million. In June this year she completed filming for the final series of the programme.

Judith is President Emeritus of The Lady Taverners, and Vice-President of the Holiday Care Service. In the 1994 Queen's Birthday Honours she was awarded the OBE for her services to Broadcasting and The Holiday Care Service. Last year Judith was honoured at the British Travel Awards 2002 for her outstanding contribution to travel and tourism.