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.”
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
