IAOTP names Mickela Covieo Top International Travel Curator of the Year

Mickela Covieo, founder of Luxe Girls Travel Co., will be honored by the International Association of Top Professionals at its annual awards gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City this December. The recognition highlights her work leading women-focused transformational travel experiences across international destinations.

Why it matters: - The award spotlights a growing niche in travel: experiences designed around women’s wellness, reinvention and leadership, not just sightseeing. - Covieo’s recognition could raise visibility for Luxe Girls Travel Co. as it expands its audience and international offerings. - IAOTP’s honor also signals continued demand for leaders who blend business expertise with wellness and lifestyle services.

What happened: - The International Association of Top Professionals named Mickela Covieo Top International Travel Curator of the Year for 2026. - Covieo is the founder and Transformational Journey Curator at Luxe Girls Travel Co., formerly Glaciers to Grapevines. - IAOTP will formally honor Covieo at its annual awards gala at the Plaza Hotel in New York City in December. - IAOTP President Stephanie Cirami said Covieo was an easy choice for the panel and called her inspirational, influential and a visionary.

The details: - Covieo has three decades of professional experience. - Her career included 10 years in Alaska’s oil and gas industry and 11 years in finance and insurance. - She left that path after experiencing burnout and built a new business focused on women’s transformational travel. - Luxe Girls Travel Co. leads journeys across Italy and other destinations for high-capacity women navigating burnout recovery, identity change and career transitions. - The company’s trips combine holistic wellness, intentional community and lifestyle design. - Past destinations have included Morocco, Bali, Namibia, Greece and the Dolomites. - New international locations are added each year. - Covieo’s expertise includes executive coaching, retreat design and facilitation, women’s leadership, coaching and mentoring, and travel management. - She holds a BBA in Finance and an MBA in Business Administration and Management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. - Her credentials also include the National Advocacy Credential Program, Holistic Nutritionist Certification, Certified Nutrition and Certified Image Consultant, among others. - Covieo will also be considered for The Empowered Woman Award and a featured profile in TIP (Top Industry Professionals) Magazine. - More information on the gala is available at the award gala page. - More information on Luxe Girls Travel Co. is available at the company’s website.

Between the lines: - The award frames Covieo’s business as more than a travel company; it positions her work as a response to burnout and a model for personal reinvention. - IAOTP’s invitation-only vetting process gives the honor a branding and networking value beyond the trophy itself. - The combination of finance, insurance and wellness credentials helps explain how Covieo packages travel as a structured personal-development service.

What’s next: - Covieo will be honored at IAOTP’s annual gala in New York City this December. - Luxe Girls Travel Co. plans to keep expanding its platform and reach more women through new international journeys. - IAOTP said Covieo remains in consideration for additional recognition this year.

The bottom line: - IAOTP is recognizing Covieo for turning travel into a tool for women’s recovery, growth and reinvention.