The Managing Director Leadway Travels, Ime Udo has won the coveted Africa Travel 100 Award which recognises exceptional women in the travel and tourism sector.
She is born in Lagos to the Royal family of Late Ette Idung Chief Okon Akpan Una, Obong Item Ikono, Akwa Ibom State.
She had her early education in Lagos State and proceeded to do her Secondary Education at the Federal Government Girls College Bauchi after which she proceeded to the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom state for her Graduate Degree and a Post Graduate Diploma at University of Lagos.
Ime began a career in business and went on to work at a management consulting firm, before launching out into the tourism and travel Space leading her to start her company , Leadway Tours and Travel Ltd, a Travel Management and Destination Company.
She works as a travel and Destination management consultant. Leadway tours was incorporated in 2006 and is one of the foremost indigenous tour companies offering international local and inbound tours into Nigeria as a destination and as one of its professionally packaged tourism services to selective destinations.
This she has continued to do with so much Passion and expertise. She was the General Secretary for the Nigeria Association of Tour operators (NATOP) from 2016 – 2018, She became the Vice President from 2018 – 2022 and is currently the National President of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP).
She is also the Financial Secretary at the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) which is the umbrella body for all tourism association in Nigeria and its Coordinator for the Lagos State Zone.
Ime has worked closely as a Tourism consultant to various corporate and renowned companies including the Federal Ministry of Tourism in Nigeria.
She was nominated into the Governing board of the Nation Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and also the Chairman technical committee of the Board during its tenure. Through her initiative on international collaborations and partnership on the development of tourism and culture as a revenue driver, She was Awarded a Honorary Citizens award by the Mayor of the City of Dallas, Texas USA, in 2016.
She had received numerous Certification and Awards including the Top 100 tourism personalities 2019 by Akwaaba travel market, the Woman of Merit Gold Award , Most creative and sustainable tourism development award, and various Professional and Faith based Awards. She Is married with Children.
