The Australia and New Zealand cruise industry temporarily set aside recent challenges to honour its best and brightest over the weekend at the 19th Annual Cruise Industry Awards in Sydney.
Hosted by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia at The Star, the gala dinner and presentation saw 19 awards bestowed during the night, including Julie Avery from Brighton Travelworld, who was named Australia’s Cruise Consultant of the Year. Lorraine Van Veen from House of Travel Botany Junction walked away with the New Zealand Cruise Consultant of the Year award, while Jeff Leckey from House of Travel took out the Cruise Champion Australasia category, and Bicton Travel scored the coveted Large Cruise Agency of the Year Australia accolade.
CLIA Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz said this year’s awards had a record number of entries, with 560 submissions received across Australia and New Zealand. “This year’s winners reflect an increasing level of dedication among travel agents when it comes to engaging with their clients and developing their cruise business,” he said. “Their passion for cruising is stronger than ever and a sign of the growing levels of expertise among cruise specialists right across the Australasian travel trade,” Katz added.
Katz acknowledged the awards as a celebration of all things cruise, and a chance to shine a spotlight on the best and brightest in the more than $5 billion cruise industry.
“It’s also an opportunity for us to unite, and reflect on some of the challenges facing our guests and colleagues at present,” he said, speaking in part of the current coronavirus crisis, which continues to impact tourism and the flow of tourists in Australia and internationally.
“Our industry is highly responsive, responsible and resilient,” he said. “Fortunately, most cruises around the world are operating as usual, and the extra measures CLIA Cruise Lines have put in place globally will help to reassure travellers.”
Katz also pointed to the return of cruise ships, as well as more visits, to bushfire affected communities as one of the highlights of the year. The opening of the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal in late 2020, Katz explained, will perhaps be the season’s biggest landmark.
“Around the same time, New Zealand will welcome the opening of a dedicated cruise wharf at the Port of Lyttelton, serving the city of Christchurch, representing a major step forward for the Canterbury region as it recovers from the earthquakes,” he announced to applause.
The evening’s biggest highlight arguably belonged to former Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry, who was inducted into the prestigious CLIA Hall of Fame.
Here are all the winners from the 19th annual Cruise Industry Awards:
Source: Cruise Weekly
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