THE brightest stars of the cruise community have been named at a record-breaking 23rd Cruise Industry Awards in Sydney, with three back-to-back winners named on the night.
Held by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) at ICC Sydney on Saturday, the gala dinner and presentation night was the largest event of its kind ever mounted.
A total of 15 awards were presented to travel agencies and individuals, chosen from 83 finalists, with Ignite Travel Group named the Cruise Agency of the Year – the night’s highest honour – for the second time in a row.
MTA’s Lauren Jenkins was also named Home-Based Cruise Consultant of the Year for a second year running.
Meanwhile, Travel Associates was again recognised for its promotional prowess, winning Network Promotion of the Year for its TA film festival.
The night also saw CLIA induct Royal Caribbean head Gavin Smith into its Hall of Fame.
All the winners are listed below:
Agency/Agent Cruise Promotion of the Year – My Cruises – “Explorations by Norwegian”
Small Network Promotion of the Year – House of Travel Papamoa Group – “Small Ship Cruising Travel Showcase”
Large Network Promotion of the Year – Travel Associates – “The Travel Associates Film Festival”
Cruise Month Promotion of the Year – Globe Trotters Cruise & Touring – “Explore, Discover, Cruise”
Media Award – Lee Tulloch, The Australian – “Greenland Immersion”
Rising Star, New Zealand – Flynn Cox, Travel Associates Howick
Rising Star, Australia – Jason Rigg, Phil Hoffmann Travel Glenelg
Cruise Broker of the Year, New Zealand – Trish Seeherr, TS Travel Ltd
Home-Based (Mobile) Cruise Consultant of the Year, Australia – Lauren Jenkins, MTA-Mobile Travel Agents
Cruise Consultant of the Year, New Zealand – Lisa Wharfe, Pukekohe Travel
Cruise Consultant of the Year, Australia – Tina Wheelock, Cruise Express
Online Cruise Agency of the Year, Australasia – Clean Cruising
Cruise Agency of the Year, Single-Location, New Zealand – Pukekohe Travel
Cruise Agency of the Year, Single-Location, Australia – Main Beach Travel
Cruise Agency of the Year, Multi-Location/Brand, Australasia – Ignite Travel Group
