Cruise Council Recognises Top Achievers in Industry
SYDNEY – The cruise industry has recognised a record number of travel agents and industry supporters for their contribution to Australia and New Zealand’s growing cruise market at the International Cruise Council Australasia’s 2008 awards dinner.
Speaking at the gala awards event, Council general manager Brett Jardine said it was fantastic to see the competition for the awards increase each year as more and more travel agents recognised the importance of cruising to their business and its growing popularity amongst their clients.
“It’s also gratifying to see that those agencies and consultants named as finalists are not only the ones that produce great cruise sales, they are also the strong supporters of industry training.
“Cruise holidays continue to offer such a great value holiday proposition that, even in these tough economic times, we look forward to the local cruise market continuing to grow in 2009.â€
Australian Cruise Agency of the Year 2008 winners Cruiseabout, Turramurra NSW, took home the top gong for the second time since the first Council awards were held in 2003.
Australian category award winners included:
– Gold Cruise Agency of the Year– Cruiseabout, Turramurra NSW
– Silver Cruise Agency of the Year– Phil Hoffmann Travel, Glenelg SA
– Bronze Cruise Agency of the Year– Best Cruises, Leederville WA
– Cruise Consultant of the Year– Hardy Schneider, Cruise Express, Balmain NSW
– Consumer Promotion of the Year – Cruise Express, Balmain NSW
– Rising Star Award– Lorraine Morris, Flight Centre Windsor NSW
New Zealand award winners included:
– Gold Cruise Agency of the Year– United Travel, Manly
– Silver Cruise Agency of the Year– Fine Travel, Auckland
– Bronze Cruise Agency of the Year New Zealand Bronze – United Travel, Eltham
– Cruise Consultant of the Year– Martin Judd, Fine Travel, Auckland
– Consumer Promotion of the Year– Cruises Direct, Auckland
– Rising Star Award– Michelle Hayward, United Travel Birkenhead
The Neil Frazer Award for an Outstanding Contribution by an Individual went to Jacqueline Unsworth from Stella Travel Services in New Zealand, while the 2008 Media Award was won by New Zealand travel writer Donna Fleming for her feature on P&O Cruises’ Pacific Sun in My Generation magazine, New Zealand Herald.
Ian Jarrett
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