Princess takes international throne
IT WAS a huge night for Princess Cruises at the 2019 AFTA National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA), with the cruise line displacing Royal Caribbean for the coveted Best Cruise Operator - International Deployment award.
Royal held the mantle for four years running until last Sat night, a point not lost on Princess’ National Sales Manager Australia and NZ Brett Wendorf.
“We finally got something on our mantelpiece, that shows our efforts have all been for something good,” he said.
When asked how the award would change the future outlook for the line, Wendorf said it provided the company a great injection of confidence.
“I think most importantly we have a bit of swagger and it’s something that our guys can look at and say ‘we know why we deserve this’”.
However Royal Caribbean didn’t leave the night empty-handed, taking out the Best Cruise Operator - Domestic Deployment.
“For our team, I believe it is validation of everything we do with the brand and with the innovations that we deliver to the guest experience,” said Royal’s VP and MD for Australia and New Zealand Susan Bonner.
This year’s winners also included APT which was crowned Best River Cruise Operator once again, as well as taking home the award for Best Domestic Tour Operator gong.
Individual recognition went to P&O Cruises’ Richard Waugh who walked away with the Best Sales Executive - Cruise prize, finally breaking through after being nominated three years in a row.
Capping off the achievements was Bicton Travel who took home the People’s Choice: Retail Travel Agency of the Year award for the second year running.