It was the night when the men and women behind Australia and New Zealand’s cruise industry get the recognition they deserve.
More than 500 joined Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia in marking a record year of cruising at the 16th Annual Cruise Industry Awards in Sydney. A total of 19 awards were handed out across nine categories with the top Australian award once again going to Western Australia’s Bicton Travel. In addition to winning an unprecedented sixth Gold Agency of the Year award, Bicton founder Carole Smethurst was inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame. Phil Hoffmann Travel Glenelg took out the Silver Award, marking the agency’s seventh appearance in the top three since 2008, while Cruiseabout Kew won Bronze. CLIA Australasia Chairman Steve Odell presented a special posthumous award to the late James Patrick from Wiltrans International for his Contribution to the Australasian Cruise Industry. The award was accepted by James’ wife, Wiltrans Managing Director Diane Patrick. “The Cruise Industry Awards bring together the industry’s brightest stars from across Australia and New Zealand in a fantastic celebration that recognises their outstanding achievements. Each year, the event continues to grow in stature in line with the impressive expansion of the industry, cementing the CLIAs as the cruise industry’s ‘night of nights’,” Mr Odell said. The event featured an exclusive preview of award-winning musical The Bodyguard with Paulini Curuenavuli performing some of Whitney Houston’s best known songs.| 2016 CRUISE INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS | |
| Cruise Agency of the Year – Australia GOLD: Bicton Travel, Perth WA SILVER: Phil Hoffmann Travel, Glenelg SA BRONZE: Cruiseabout, Kew VIC | Cruise Agency of the Year – New Zealand GOLD: Pukekohe Travel SILVER: House of Travel Orewa BRONZE: Cruiseabout Parnell |
| Online Agency of the Year – Australia Ozcruising | Online Agency of the Year – New Zealand Cruise Republic |
| Home Based/Mobile Agent of the Year – Australia Derek Harwood – TravelManagers | Broker of the Year – New Zealand Debbie Bradford – NZ Travel Brokers |
| Cruise Consultant of the Year – Australia Helen McMullen, Cruise Holidays QLD | Cruise Consultant of the Year – New Zealand Gail Littin, Pukekohe Travel |
| Rising Star Award – Australia Hayley Osbourne, Cruise Republic VIC | Rising Star Award – New Zealand Melanie Morrison, HOOT Cruises |
| Agency Promotion of the Year – Australasia Meridian Travel & The Cruise Gallery VIC – “Rockin’ the Mekong with Elvis” | Network Promotion of the Year – Australasia Phil Hoffmann Travel (Australia) – “River Cruise Launch Events with APT” |
| Plan a Cruise Month Agency Promotion Award – Australasia Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel – New Zealand | Media Award Brian Johnston, “Sail of the Centuries” (The Age/SMH Traveller, Fairfax) |
| Hall of Fame Carole Smethurst – Bicton Travel | Contribution to the Cruise Industry (Posthumous Award) James Patrick – Wiltrans International |
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