CLIA Awards winners and grinners revealed

CLIA Awards winners and grinners revealed

The Australasian cruise community has been honoured at the 20th Cruise Industry Awards in Sydney, where close to 500 people gathered to celebrate the role of the travel trade in the region’s ongoing cruising renaissance.

Held by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia at Luna Park Sydney on Saturday March 11, the gala dinner and presentation night was hosted by entertainer Tim Campbell and involved 18 awards for travel agencies and individuals from across Australia and New Zealand.

Tim Campbell at CLIA Awards (Supplied)

CLIA managing director Australasia Joel Katz said this year’s awards helped cap off a strong summer revival for cruising in Australia and New Zealand.

“Travel agents across our region have shown incredible determination over recent years, and these awards help celebrate their resilience and their passion for cruising as we sail into a new era,” Katz said.

“As cruising builds on its global renaissance, these awards pay thanks to the Australasian travel trade for its part in our success.”

CLIA managing director Australasia Joel Katz (Supplied)

Top winners on the night included Sheron Konig of Travel Associates Rockhampton, named Australia’s Cruise Consultant of the Year, and Janine Mallon of Zest4Travel, awarded New Zealand Cruise Consultant of the Year. Robyn Sinfield of Home Travel Company was named Cruise Champion Australasia.

Agency winners included Ignite Travel Group, which was named Australasia’s Large Cruise Agency of the Year. Bicton Travel 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.

A highlight honour was the induction into the CLIA Hall of Fame of past CLIA Chairman and former regional head of Oceania Cruises & Regent Seven Seas Cruise, Steve Odell, who was recognised for his industry stewardship and his role in cruising’s success over more than three decades.

Steve Odell receiving his hall of fame gong at CLIA Awards (Supplied)

Check out the full list below:

Cruise Agency of the Year (Small) – Australia

Bicton Travel

Cruise Agency of the Year (Small) – New Zealand

YOU Travel Bethlehem

Cruise Agency of the Year (Large) – Australasia

Ignite Travel Group

Online Agency of the Year – Australasia

Clean Cruising

Cruise Consultant of the Year – Australia

Sheron Konig, Travel Associates Rockhampton

Cruise Consultant of the Year – New Zealand

Janine Mallon, Zest4Travel

Mobile/Home-Based Agent of the Year – Australia

Megan Catterall, itravel

Broker of the Year – New Zealand

Sharon O’Brien, Live Breathe Travel

Media Award – Australasia

Michael Ferrante, The West Australian

Rising Star – Australia

Clarees Purkiss, Cruise Travel Centre Green Hills

Rising Star – New Zealand

Marise Barrett, helloworld Strandon

Agency Cruise Promotion of the Year – Australia

My Cruises

Agency Cruise Promotion of the Year – New Zealand

Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel

Network Cruise Promotion of the Year – Australasia

House of Travel, New Zealand

Cruise Month Promotion of the Year – Australasia

Hunter Travel Group / MTA – Mobile Travel Agents

Cruise Champion – Australasia

Robyn Sinfield, Home Travel Company

Cruise Line Champion – Australasia

Shaun Kavanagh, Princess Cruises

Media Cruise Champion – Australasia

Bruce Piper, Business Publishing Group

Hall of Fame

Steve Odell

Group shot of 2023 CLIA Awards winners (Supplied)


Featured Image: The CLIAs (Supplied)

Latest News

  • Partner Content

My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse 

Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse?  ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]

Partner Content

by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly
  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]