Cruising is booming right now. But in the highly competitive environment of cruise line business development, one sales executive stood out above the rest in 2023. We chat with Holland America Lines’ Helen Courias, who picked up the gong for Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Cruise at the recent NTIAs to find out the recipe for her success, what she loves most about the sector and her top cruising tip.
Congratulations on the award… to what do you attribute your win?
I was so honoured, humbled and excited to have received this award. I would say it’s a combination of many dedicated years of being a well-regarded sales industry identity and professional, with a strong work ethic, integrity, great support from teams, colleagues and mentors over the years.
More recently, I’ve worked for over 10 years in the premium cruise line space and have become a passionate cruise industry expert, helping my trade partners achieve success and build their cruise business.
I love my job and I love the trade.
The conversation around travel has mostly moved on from looking back to looking forward… what does the future look like for you?
We are full steam ahead as Holland America Line is performing well as a brand both locally and globally, so I can’t wait to share the passion with the trade for a brand that has been servicing guests for the last 150 years.
The travel and cruise industry is my thing and I am here to stay!
What are you most excited about that’s coming up for yourself or the sector?
I’m so thrilled to see our cruise industry thriving again, after a very difficult few years.
It’s exciting to see some trends expand to more premium guests, new locations, new ports and many new-builds.
We have a lot of work to do as an industry to fill all of the new capacity coming through over the next few years both locally and globally.
What do you love most about the travel industry?
I love the people of our industry the most! It is an industry full of passionate people who are of course well-travelled, and because of this, we always have an interesting and quite often fun story to share!
Travel is the best education. I equally love the opportunities that this industry has offered me – travelling the world and being part of an exciting and growing cruise industry.
How did you find the change of scenery for this year’s NTIAs in Melbourne?
I think Melbourne and The Crown Palladium put on a dazzling night and did a fantastic job in bringing many of our industry peers and colleagues together in a celebratory environment. I could certainly feel the love in the room from peers and colleagues.
What a fabulous after-party as well. It’s certainly a night I’ll never forget!
Is there a category you’d like to see added to the list of awards?
Just like the CLIA Awards (and the Oscars!), I’d love to see an industry Hall of Fame-style award to people who offered limitless dedication and so much of their lives to our wonderful, resilient and thriving industry.
Care to share a fun travel tip that you swear by when exploring new places?
Do as much research as you can before you get to a destination or new city or town. It allows you to not waste time in the moment and have a great plan each day.
Also if we are talking cruising and for people afraid of sea sickness, take Zofran (prescribed by doctors only) – it’s great for me during rough seas without making me drowsy and you can have a few drinks as well. Luckily over the years, I haven’t experienced too many rough seas anyway but it’s good to have on hand.
Read more about Holland America here.
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Holland America is targeting Aussie cruisers with its latest brand campaign, ‘All That’s Missing is U’, reinvigorating the brand in the local market and bringing “U”, the traveller, along for the journey.
Earlier this year, Holland America marked its 150th with its “biggest ever” party down under.
