CLIA Awards celebrate cruise revival

THE 20th Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia Awards on Sat (CW breaking news) celebrated the sector’s renaissance in Australia, and honoured some of the stars of the cruise community.

Close to 500 people gathered to celebrate excellence, and the role of the travel trade in cruise’s ongoing return to prominence in the region.

Held at Luna Park Sydney, the gala dinner and presentation night was hosted by actor Tim Campbell, and involved 18 awards for travel agencies and individuals from across Australia and New Zealand (see the cover page).

Top winners on the night included Sheron Konig of Travel Associates Rockhampton, named Australia’s Cruise Consultant of the Year, Robyn Sinfield of Home Travel Company, named ‘Cruise Champion’, and Bicton Travel, awarded Australia’s Small Cruise Agency of the Year.

CLIA’s local Managing Director Joel Katz said this year’s awards helped cap off a strong summer revival for cruising in Australia.

“Travel agents across our region have shown incredible determination over recent years, and these awards help celebrate their resilience and their passion for cruising as we sail into a new era,” Katz said.

“As cruising builds on its global renaissance, these awards pay thanks to the Australasian travel trade for its part in our success.”

A highlight honour was the induction into the CLIA Hall of Fame of past Chair and former regional head of Oceania Cruises & Regent Seven Seas Cruises Steve Odell, who was recognised for his stewardship of cruise and his role in the sector’s success over more than three decades (see page 3).

Tasmania travel industry figure Robyn Sinfield was also honoured, being named “Cruise Champion” for her long-time leadership within the Australian cruise community.

Katz also presented a nevergiven-before, off-program “Cruise Champion award for Media”, conferred on Cruise Weekly Publisher Bruce Piper.

“Given the exceptional circumstances we’ve all faced over recent years, we’d like to give a one-off salute to one of our industry’s most tireless advocates,” Katz said of Piper.

“He used his position as an industry authority to help amplify our voice and to give credibility to our message.

“He never paused, he helped keep us together, he kept the home fires burning.”

THE 20th Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia Awards on Sat (see page 1) celebrated the sector’s renaissance in Australia, and honoured some of the stars of the cruise community, as close to 500 people gathered in Sydney to celebrate excellence within the industry.

Held at Luna Park, the gala dinner and presentation night was hosted by actor Tim Campbell, and involved 18 awards recognising the role of the travel trade in cruise’s ongoing return to prominence in the region.

Top winners on the night included Clean Cruising, which took home the Online Agency of the Year award; House of Travel, which was gonged for its Network Cruise Promotion of the Year; and joint champions of the Cruise Month Promotion of the Year category, Hunter Travel Group and MTA Travel.

See a full spread of the suited-and-booted winners below.

THE Clean Cruising team celebrate their win as Online Agency of the Year - Australasia.

CRUISE Weekly’s Bruce Piper with his surprise Media Cruise Champion award, alongside Cruise Champion, Robyn Sinfield from Home Travel Company and CLIA Australasia MD Joel Katz.

JEFF Leckey and Celeste Ryall from of Travel, winner House of the Network Promotion of the Cruise Year - Australasia with Damian Borg category from Norwegian Cruise Line.

ryAn Taibel from Carnival Australia presents trophies to the joint winners of the Cruise Month Promotion of the Year, Australasia category, Barry Downs from Hunter Travel Group and Rhona Rodgers from MTA Travel.

THE Travel Associates team looking fabulous.

THE Ladies of Uniworld!

THE Cruise Consultant of the Year - Autralia award awas won by Sheron Konig fron Travel Associates Rockhamton, pictured with Antin Loed from sponsor Carnival Cruise Line.

KATHRYN Robertson from Carnival Australia presents the Cruise Consultant of the Year - New Zealand award to Janine Mallon from Zest4Travel.

MegAn Catterall from itravel receives the Mobile/Home-Based Agent of the Year - Australia award from Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Elsa McLean.

JOHN Willson from First Travel Group with Lydia Hattson from YOU Travel Bethlehem, winner of Cruise Agency of the Year (Small) New Zealand.

ALICE Ager from Uniworld Boutique River Cruises presents Broker of the Year - New Zealand to Sharon O'Brien from live Breathe Travel.

MArIse Barrett, Helloworld Strandon - winner of the Rising Star, New Zealand category with Amy Williams from sponsor, Cunard.

NICOLE Costantin from Explora presents the Cruise Champion award to Robyn Sinfield from Home Travel Company.