Former travel agency owner Doris Davidoff died on June 27. She was 82.
Doris, alongside her husband, the late Phil Davidoff, was active in the industry throughout her career. Phil was the president of ASTA from 1990-1992.
"Mom was an incredible woman -- wife, mother, educator and a keen business person during an age when many women were discouraged from running businesses," her son Donald Davidoff said. "She was a big part of dad's success, but more importantly, he was also a big part of hers. They were true partners in business, home and life, unlike anything else I've ever seen."
Doris held a bachelor's degree in business administration from Adelphi University and a master's degree in tourism development and administration from George Washington University.
The Davidoffs opened Belair Travel and Cruises in Bowie, Md., in 1969. In 1992, Doris co-founded the VALU Travel Marketing consortium, which merged with Empress Travel in 1997.
In 2003, the couple sold their agency and moved to Florida with their consultancy business and Fan Club Cruises, which ran niche group travel cruises.
Doris was well known in the industry and spoke frequently at events. A life member of the Travel Institute, she also co-authored several industry-related textbooks. She was a frequent contributor to trade publications and was a member of the tourism faculties of George Washington University and Northern Virginia Community College.
The Davidoffs were recognized for their contributions to the industry a number of times over the years. In 1988, they were the co-recipients of the first annual Achievement Award from the Society of Travel and Tourism Educators. In 1992, they were co-recipients of Travel Trade magazine's Travel Agent of the Year award. They were inducted into CLIA's Hall of Fame in 2010.
Doris is survived by her children -- Donald Davidoff, Doug Davidoff and Dana Copeland -- and six grandchildren.