More than 500 agents and industry members from across Australia and New Zealand will gather at the Star Event Centre Sydney on Saturday February 11, 2017, for the 16th annual gala event.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia has announced the finalists for the 2016 Cruise Industry Awards, with a pool of 19 awards on offer at the cruise industry’s annual ‘night of nights’.
More than 500 agents and industry members from across Australia and New Zealand will gather at the Star Event Centre Sydney on Saturday February 11, 2017, for the 16th annual gala event.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia released the list of finalists with an extra category up for grabs this year – the inaugural Plan a Cruise Month Agency promotion.
CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz said the 2016 awards dinner was sure to be the best yet, with finalists being recognised from across Australia and New Zealand.
“The Cruise Industry Awards is a great way for our member cruise lines to recognise and reward the outstanding achievements of agents who are at the forefront of the industry’s impressive growth. After a record year of cruising down under, we’re looking forward to a fitting celebration,” Mr Katz said.
Nominations in the categories of Agent Promotion of the Year and Network Promotion of the Year have been submitted by CLIA member agencies.
Entrants for the other categories, which include Cruise Agency of the Year (bronze, silver and gold), Online Agency of the Year, Homebased Agent of the Year, Cruise Consultant of the Year, the Rising Star award and the latest entrant to the CLIA Hall of Fame, are nominated by member cruise lines.
Emirates and Dubai Tourism are headline sponsors of the evening, while popular Channel 7 personality Larry Emdur will MC the event.
2016 CRUISE INDUSTRY AWARD NOMINEES
Cruise Agency of the Year – Australia
Bicton Travel, Perth WA
Cruiseabout, Kew VIC
Phil Hoffmann Travel, Glenelg SA
The Cruise Centre, Savenio QLD
Wings Away Travel & Cruise, VIC
Cruise Agency of the Year – New Zealand
House of Travel Orewa
Cruiseabout Parnell
Helloworld Howick
House of Travel Motueka
Pukekohe Travel
Online Agency of the Year – Australia
Clean Cruising
Cruise Republic
Ozcruising
Cruise Guru
Online Agency of the Year – New Zealand
Cruise Republic
iCruise
Lets Cruise
Home Based/Mobile Agent of the Year – Australia
Sarah Fenton – MTA Mobile Travel Agent
Derek Harwood – TravelManagers
Melissa Pointon – MTA Mobile Travel Agent
Carl Retschlag – TravelManagers
Broker of the Year – New Zealand
Debbie Bradford – NZ Travel Brokers
Mary Houghton – NZ Travel Brokers
Janine Mallon – Tasty Tours
Nicola Sorenson – NZ Travel Brokers
Cruise Consultant of the Year – Australia
Deborah Long, Weston Travel & Cruise ACT
Martine Hero, Clean Cruising QLD
Helen McMullen, Cruise Holidays QLD
Phil Smethurst , Bicton Travel WA
Cruise Consultant of the Year – New Zealand
Bruce Blacklock, helloworld Lambton Quay
Samantha Fowler, Cruise Connections
Gerald Patterson, helloworld Howick
Gail Littin, Pukekohe Travel
Rising Star Award – Australia
Prue Herron, South Coast Cruise & Travel NSW
Tracey Jeffries, Albury Travel & Cruise NSW
Hayley Osbourne, Cruise Republic VIC
Rising Star Award – New Zealand
Felicia Collins, Cruise Republic
Melanie Morrison, HOOT Cruises
Kirsty Stewart, House of Travel Hornby
Agency Promotion of the Year – Australasia
Meridian Travel & The Cruise Gallery VIC – “Rockin’ the Mekong with Elvis”
Dream Maker Travel QLD – “Avalon Waterways cruise with Ian Healy”
Network Promotion of the Year – Australasia
iTravel (Australia) – “Come cruise with us”
Phil Hoffmann Travel (Australia) – “River Cruise Launch Events with APT”
helloworld (New Zealand) – “Set Sail”
Plan a Cruise Month Agency Promotion Award – Australasia
Bon Voyage Cruises & Travel – New Zealand
CruiseAway by Dreamlines – Australia
helloworld Rotorua – New Zealand
Media Award
Brad Crouch, “One for the money” (Escape, News Limited)
Caroline Gladstone, “A World of Harmony” (Sun Herald Traveller, Fairfax)
Brian Johnston, “Sail of the Centuries” (The Age/SMH Traveller, Fairfax)
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