Cruising is the benchmark

IT IS exciting to work in an industry where excellence is the benchmark we all strive for every day.

On Sat night, it was the cruise lines’ turn to shine as AFTA held its 2019 National Industry Travel Awards (NTIAs).

ACA would like to congratulate all of the winners and the runners up in the cruise categories who work tirelessly to ensure the ongoing growth of the industry.

Royal Caribbean International took out the award for the Best Cruise Operator – Domestic Deployment.

Susan Bonner, who spoke at ACA’s conference last year, accepted the award, stating “the innovations that we deliver to the guest experience” as being one of the reasons for the cruise line’s continued success.

Long-time ACA partner Princess Cruises was “crowned” with the Best Cruise Operator – International Deployment award, while Richard Waugh from sister company P&O Cruises was recognised as

Best Sales Executive – Cruise.

He discussed the important relationship between the cruise lines and the retail trade which contributes to overall success.

The growth of the cruise industry relies on all of us working together – the cruise lines, the trade and all of our wonderful ACA members shore-side who make the landbased experience as interesting as the onboard experience.

This includes the ports providing a warm welcome, the destination teams delivering exciting itineraries through to the hotels offering preand post- stays. I am proud of the experience we provide working together and we welcome the recognition these awards bring.