Hovertravel pilot Nick Wood was shortlisted for Travel Pride Champion.

Leading travel trade publication Travel Trade Gazette announced that the Isle of Wight Hovertravel pilot was on their shortlist of LGBT Travel Pride Champions for 2019.

Only 15 individuals were shortlisted for the accolade for their work in championing diversity and travel.

Although Nick didn't win, he was thrilled to have been shortlisted.

Nick flew a hovercraft, emblazoned with rainbow flags and carrying VIP guests, to the first ever UK Pride on the Beach.

Landing on Ryde Sands, just metres from Pride, Nick completed this tricky manoeuvre while wearing a two-piece rainbow suit and cowboy hat.

Flying a 45-tonne cross between a helicopter and boat at up to 50 knots through one of the world’s busiest shipping channels to land precisely at Pride event demonstrates Nick’s skill at his job.

Loretta Lale, head of commercial at Hovertravel, said: “Nick is a great ambassador for Hovertravel’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

"The photos and publicity from 2017 and 2018 profiled Hovertravel’s involvement in Pride and the LGBT community.

"Even more significantly, the image of rainbow-suited Nick standing on the deck of a hovercraft has become a symbol both internally and externally for the inclusivity of Hovertravel.”

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