Cruise industry honours top achievers

Cruise industry honours top achievers

The big achievers of the Australasian cruising world have been named at this year’s annual Cruise Industry Awards.

Held by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia, the gala dinner and awards night attracted more than 500 guests to Sydney’s Star Event Centre on Saturday night and helped mark another year for the cruise sector.

A total of 20 honours were presented in an evening hosted by actor and singer Tim Campbell, including awards for travel agencies and individuals from across both countries.

CLIAs 2019 [2]

CLIAs host Tim Campbell

CLIA Australasia managing director Joel Katz said this year’s awards had been among the most successful of the event’s 18-year history.

“We had a record number of submissions this year, which made for a heightened level of competition,” he said.

“It proves that travel agents are more engaged than ever and more dedicated to developing their cruise business, which makes them a key driver of the ongoing growth in the cruise industry.”

Top winners on the night included Australia’s Cruise Consultant of the Year, Gail Chapman of Dreamlines Australia; and New Zealand’s Cruise Consultant of the Year, Kiri Martin of YOU Travel Orewa.

Phil Hoffman Travel was named Australia’s Large Cruise Agency of the Year, while Helloworld Milford & Browns Bay was chosen as New Zealand’s Large Cruise Agency of the Year.

Australia’s Small Cruise Agency of the Year was itravel Carlingford, while New Zealand’s Small Cruise Agency of the Year was tied between House of Travel Kapiti Coast and Helloworld Rotorua.

A highlight honour was the induction of Crystal Cruises managing director and senior vice president of Australia and New Zealand Karen Christensen (pictured below) into the CLIA Hall of Fame, recognising her more than 30 years in the Australasian cruise industry and long association with CLIA.

CLIAs 2019 [3]

Karen Christiansen being inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame

Below is the full list of winners:

Agency Promotion of the Year, New Zealand

Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel

 

Agency Promotion of the Year, Australia

My Cruises

 

Network Promotion of the Year, Australasia

Helloworld New Zealand

 

#ChooseCruise Promotion of the Year, Australasia

Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel

 

Media Award, Australasia

Andrew Conway

 

Rising Star, New Zealand

Shelley Williams, Clevedon Travel

 

Rising Star, Australia

Peter Fotinis, Clean Cruising

 

Broker of the Year, New Zealand

Denise Fowler, The Travel Brokers

 

Home Based/Mobile Agent of the Year, Australia

Nicole Edgar, TravelManagers Australia

 

Cruise Champion, Australasia

Tim Faircloth, I Love Cruising

 

Cruise Consultant of the Year, New Zealand

Kiri Martin, YOU Travel Orewa

 

Cruise Consultant of the Year, Australia

Gail Chapman, Dreamlines Australia

 

Online Cruise Agency of the Year, New Zealand

HOOT Cruises

 

Online Cruise Agency of the Year, Australia

Clean Cruising

 

Small Cruise Agency of the Year, New Zealand

House of Travel Kapiti Coast and Helloworld Rotorua (tie)

 

Small Cruise Agency of the Year, Australia

itravel Carlingford

 

Large Cruise Agency of the Year, New Zealand

Helloworld Milford & Browns Bay

 

Large Cruise Agency of the Year, Australia

Phil Hoffmann Travel

 

CLIA Hall of Fame

Karen Christensen

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