For the fifth year, FXExpress Publications, Inc. names its Industry Leader Awards, a hand-selected group of the best and brightest in the travel industry and a recognition of those leading the way in their fields. Congratulations to all the amazing honorees!

© Scenic Group / Jacqueline Vinzelberg

BEST CRUISE LINE INDUSTRY LEADER
Glen Moroney, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, SCENIC GROUP
Australian businessman Glen Moroney took a risk 40 years ago that led to the reason cruise-goers today enjoy Scenic’s all-inclusive, luxury ships and cruise itineraries. What is now the Scenic Group began in 1986 after Moroney quit his accounting studies at Australia’s University of Newcastle to sell coach bus tours along Great Ocean Road before branching out to New Zealand, Canada and Alaska. After chartering European river vessels, he decided to design and build his own ships in 2007. The rest, as they say, is history — or Scenic Group’s Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises, delivering river cruises, ocean and expedition yacht sailings, and guided land tours.

© Chicago Department of Aviation

BEST AIRPORT INDUSTRY LEADER
Michael McMurray, Commissioner, CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF AVIATION
As Commissioner of Chicago Department of Aviation, Michael McMurray oversees one of the world’s largest aviation systems, serving more than 100 million passengers per year across O’Hare and Midway international airports. McMurray brought more than 25 years of experience to his position when he was appointed in 2025, with a career focused on complex infrastructure projects, expanding economic opportunity, and strengthening and connecting communities. McMurray oversaw the groundbreaking of the $1.3 billion New Concourse D, the largest new facility constructed at O’Hare in more than 30 years, and the first phase of the ORDNext capital program, as well as the rehabilitation of Midway International Airport’s Runway 13L-31R and its associated taxiways.

© Malta Tourism Authority

BEST TOURISM INDUSTRY LEADER
Carlo Micallef, CEO, MALTA TOURISM AUTHORITY
Carlo Micallef has 30 years of experience at Malta Tourism Authority, with his expertise gained across a range of positions within the organization, both at home and abroad. He was appointed to his current position as chief executive officer in May 2022. Known as a strategic and transformative leader, he has played a pivotal role in shaping Malta’s tourism landscape, strengthening the destination’s position as a leading global tourism hub, enhancing Malta’s position as a leading Mediterranean destination, and leading the recovery and revitalization of Malta’s tourism industry in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, Micallef joined Delta Air Lines’ celebration, ribbon-cutting ceremony and flight for its first-ever non-stop offering from New York City to Malta.

© Craig Russell | Dreamstime.com

BEST AVIATION INDUSTRY LEADER
Yvonne Makolo, CEO, RWANDAIR
Yvonne Makolo has served as RwandAir’s CEO since 2018, following a long tenure with MTN Rwanda, the largest communications company in the country, as the chief marketing officer and briefly as acting CEO. In 2022 Makolo was featured on the International Hospitality Institute’s Global 100 in Hospitality list. The following year Makolo was appointed the 81st chair of the International Air Transport Association’s Board of Governors, becoming the first woman to take on this role. Under her leadership, RwandAir has seen growth and success and is one of the fastest-growing airlines in Africa, currently serving more than 25 destinations in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

© Cezary Wojtkowski | Dreamstime.com

BEST HOTEL INDUSTRY LEADER
Barbara Muckermann, CEO, KEMPINSKI HOTELS
As chief executive officer of Kempinski Group, Barbara Muckermann is the first woman in the company’s 127 years of history to lead the brand, which includes more than 75 hotels in 33 countries around the globe. Muckermann’s focus on future growth includes intentions to add another 25 hotels and residences to the portfolio in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa in the coming years. Muckermann has made her mark across the travel industry, having previously led Silversea Cruises. Muckermann lived in Italy, France and the United States; is fluent in five languages; earned a doctorate in political sciences and economics; and holds a joint MBA from Columbia and London Business School.

THE PROCESS
The team at FXExpress Publications, Inc. submitted nominations for industry leaders in each of the categories. Once all nominations, submitted with a brief reasoning for each, were compiled, a survey was distributed to all members of the FXExpress team to select the final Industry Leader honoree.