The Australia and New Zealand cruise industry has named the top cruise travel agents at the 21st annual CruiseIndustry Awards in Sydney.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) produces the awards, voted on by the industry. A glittering event was held at Sydney’s Star Event Centre attended by 500 agents agents industry executives.

CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz said this year’s awards helped mark one of the strongest summer cruise seasons experienced in Australia and New Zealand.

“Cruise fans are more excited than ever about the cruise opportunities available to them across our region and around the world, and our travel agent community has played a huge part in fuelling that passion,” Mr Katz said.

“Cruising is enjoying undeniable success right now in Australia and New Zealand, and these awards are our way of thanking those who drive so much of that success.”

The best of the best travel agents voted by the cruise industry.

Meantime, top winners on the night included Byron Horne of Bicton Travel in WA, named Australia’s Cruise Consultant of the Year, and Gail Littin of Pukekohe Travel, awarded New Zealand Cruise Consultant of the Year. Rhona Rodgers of MTA

Mobile Travel Agents was named Cruise Champion Australasia.

Agency winners included Phil Hoffmann Travel, which was named Australia’s Large Cruise Agency of the Year. Cruise

Express was awarded Australia’s Small Cruise Agency of the Year, while YOU Travel Bethlehem was named New Zealand’s Small Cruise Agency of the Year.

21st CLIA Cruise Industry Awards Australasia

Cruise Agency of the Year (Small) – Australia: Cruise Express

Cruise Agency of the Year (Small) – New Zealand: YOU Travel Bethlehem

Cruise Agency of the Year (Large) – Australia: Phil Hoffmann Travel

Online Cruise Agency of the Year – Australasia: Joint winners: Ecruising & Clean Cruising

Cruise Consultant of the Year – Australia: Byron Horne, Bicton Travel

Cruise Consultant of the Year – New Zealand: Gail Littin, Pukekohe Travel

Home-Based Agent of the Year – Australia: Rose Febo, TravelManagers Australia

Broker of the Year – New Zealand: Zaheda Davies, NZ Travel Brokers

Media Award – Australasia: Imogen Eveson, International Traveller

Rising Star – Australia: Vanessa Sokolji, Flight Centre Epping Plaza

Rising Star – New Zealand: Jaimee Phelps, House of Travel Kapiti Coast

Agency Cruise Promotion of the Year – Australia: My Cruises

Agency Cruise Promotion of the Year – New Zealand: cruisedeals.co.nz

Network Cruise Promotion of the Year – Australasia: World Travellers, New Zealand

Cruise Month Promotion of the Year – Australasia: House of Travel, New Zealand

Cruise Champion – Australasia: Rhona Rodgers, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents

Cruise Line Champion – Australasia: Christine Oliver, AmaWaterways

Hall of Fame – Australasia: Craig Harris, ISS-McKay Ltd New Zealand

For more see Cruise Lines International Association Australasia