The stars of the Australasian cruise community were honoured at the 19th Annual Cruise Industry Awards in Sydney on the weekend with over 500 people gathering to celebrate the most dedicated members of the travel trade.
Held by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia at The Star Sydney on Saturday, February 15, the gala dinner and presentation night was hosted by actor and singer Tim Campbell.
It saw 19 awards handed out to Travel Agencies and individuals from Australia and New Zealand.
CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz said this year’s awards attracted more than 560 entries from across Australia and New Zealand, more than any previous year.
“This year’s winners reflect an increasing level of dedication among Travel Agents when it comes to
engaging with their clients and developing their cruise business.”
CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz
“Their passion for cruising is stronger than ever and a sign of the growing levels of expertise among cruise specialists right across the Australasian travel trade,” he said.
Top winners on the night included Julie Avery of Brighton Travelworld, named Australia’s Cruise Consultant of the Year, and Lorraine Van Veen of House of Travel Botany Junction awarded New Zealand Cruise Consultant of the Year.
Jeff Leckey of House of Travel was named Cruise Champion Australasia.
Agency winners included Bicton Travel, named Australia’s Large Cruise Agency of the Year, and helloworld Lambton Quay/St Heliers/Mt Eden/Botany, chosen as New Zealand’s Large Cruise Agency of the Year.
Australia’s Small Cruise Agency of the Year was New Farm Travel, while New Zealand’s Small Cruise Agency of the Year was Pukekohe Travel.
A highlight honour was the induction of former Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry into the CLIA Hall of Fame, recognising her pivotal role in the industry’s success over more than a decade.
READ: CRUISE SUPERSTAR: Ann Sherry Joins Cruising’s Hall Of Fame
Here’s the full list of the winners.
- Agency Promotion of the Year, New Zealand: Cruise Sale Finder
- Agency Promotion of the Year, Australia: Megan Catterall, itravel
- Network Promotion of the Year, Australasia: MTA – Mobile Travel Agents
- Cruise Month Promotion of the Year, Australasia: House of Travel Cruise
- Media Award, Australasia: Helen Anderson
- Rising Star, New Zealand: Charlotte Chalman, House of Travel Lakers
Gore - Rising Star, Australia: Bryan Andersen, My Cruises
- Broker of the Year, New Zealand: Andrew Lennox, Flight Centre Travel Broker
- Home Based/Mobile Agent of the Year, Australia: Robyn Sinfield, Home Travel Company
- Cruise Champion, Australasia: Jeff Leckey, House of Travel
- Cruise Consultant of the Year, New Zealand: Lorraine Van Veen, House of Travel Botany
Junction - Cruise Consultant of the Year, Australia: Julie Avery, Brighton Travelworld
- Online Cruise Agency of the Year, New Zealand: Cruise Sale Finder
- Online Cruise Agency of the Year, Australia: Cruise Guru
- Small Cruise Agency of the Year, New Zealand: Pukekohe Travel
- Small Cruise Agency of the Year, Australia: New Farm Travel
- Large Cruise Agency of the Year, New Zealand: helloworld Lambton Quay/St Heliers/Mt
Eden/Botany - Large Cruise Agency of the Year, Australia: Bicton Travel
Congratulations to all those recognised on the evening for their massive contribution to the cruise industry.