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.
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.
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
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
clia cruise industry cruise industry awards cruise lines international associationLatest News
Seabourn’s two new value-add offers for 2024-25
Luxe cruise line Seabourn is offering two value-added promotions featuring must-have fares and a generous shipboard credit for guests seeking to book their next voyage. The exclusive “A Sail to Remember” Event includes must-have fares on most Seabourn ultra-luxury ocean and expedition voyages in October 2024 and beyond. The “More Moments on Us” Event offers […]
PONANT commercial team expands to meet growing demand in APAC
Luxury exploration cruise line Ponant has announced significant updates to their Asia Pacific commercial team in response to accelerated growth across the region. “These structural enhancements signify Ponant’s dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our valued trade partners in the Asia Pacific region,” general manager sales & marketing, Asia Pacific, Deb Corbett said. “We […]
Gen Z and millennials on track for rise in Europe rail trips, says TruTravels
Despite what you think, Gen Z and Millennials are not 'off the rails', but instead want a fast track to Europe.
$230m joint Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport hotel prepares to open
Dear all business travellers, you're Melbourne experience just got a whole lot better.
Envoyage premieres Worldwide 2024 in Santiago
There has been a warm reception for 300 attendees at Envoyage's gabfest in Santiago, Chile.
Disney Destinations launches epic Aussie agent incentive
Everyone needs a bit of Disney in their life (apparently) and agents can get their next dose for free here.
IPW 2024: 960,000 Aussies took the trek to the Land of the Free last year
Nearly 6,000 travel industry reps descend on LA. Thankfully for all of their bosses, it's not in Vegas.
Nauru Airlines offers new direct flights from Brisbane to Palau on ‘Paradise Express’
No more island hopping to Palau as Nauru Airlines hits this boundary six.
Etihad Airways boosts connectivity with five interline partnerships
Etihad high fives itself with interline partnerships announcing a handful of new airlines, including Rex.
Discover the enchantment of India – A tale of timeless cities
Whether you're game enough to test out the street food or not, we recon India should be top of your list.
Qantas cops $100m penalty with passengers to get $20m back over cancelled flights
Qantas cops a $100m civil penalty, passengers to get back $20m over cancelled flights to resolve ACCC court battle.
Body found off Sydney Heads suspected to be missing cruiser
Tragic developments onboard Pacific Adventure this morning.
Wendy Wu Tours ‘Wonderlust Sale’ offers the wonders of the world for less
More for less... Great news for all apart from Wendy's wallet.
Booking.com launches AI Trip Planner in Australia and New Zealand
Booking.com launches new AI feature in Aus. We're hoping AI never gets the nuance involved with writing these jokes.
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.