Blog

I’m truly humbled and proud to be announced the Winner of the CLIA 2023 Home Based Agent of the Year Australia category as cruising and the cruise industry is close to my heart, read on…

“The Star achievers of the Australasian cruise community were spotlighted at the 21st annual Cruise Industry Awards in Sydney, where more than 500 people gathered to celebrate the renewed success of the international cruise industry.

Held by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) on Saturday March 9, the gala dinner and presentation night was hosted by entertainer Tim Campbell and involved 18 awards for travel agencies and individuals.

CLIA managing director in Australasia Joel Katz said this year’s awards helped mark one of the strongest summer cruise seasons experienced in Australia and New Zealand.

“Cruise fans are more excited than ever about the cruise opportunities available to them across our region and around the world, and our travel agent community has played a huge part in fuelling that passion,” Katz said.

“Cruising is enjoying undeniable success right now in Australia and New Zealand, and these awards are our way of thanking those who drive so much of that success.””

Since the finalists were revealed in January, it’s been a nail-biting wait to see who will sail away with the CLIA 2024 top accolades.

The full list of winners is:

• Cruise Agency of the Year (Small) – AU – Cruise Express
• Cruise Agency of the Year (Small) – NZ– YOU Travel Bethlehem
• Large Cruise Agency of the Year – ANZ – Phil Hoffmann Travel
• Online Agency of the Year – ANZ – Ecruising and Clean Cruising (joint winners)
• Cruise Consultant of the Year – AU – Byron Horne, Bicton Travel
• Cruise Consultant of the Year – NZ – Gail Littin, Pukekohe Travel
• Mobile/Home-Based Agent of the Year – AU – Rose Febo, TravelManagers Australia
• Broker of the Year – NZ – Zaheda Davies, NZ Travel Brokers
• Media Award – ANZ – Imogen Eveson, International Traveller
• Rising Star of the Year – AU – Vanessa Sokolji, Flight Centre Epping Plaza
• Rising Star of the Year – NZ  – Jaimee Phelps, House of Travel Kapiti Coast
• Agency Cruise Promotion of the Year – AU – My Cruises
• Agency Cruise Promotion of the Year – NZ – cruisedeals.co.nz
• Network Cruise Promotion of the Year – ANZ – World Travellers, New Zealand
• Cruise Month Promotion of the Year – ANZ – House of Travel, New Zealand
• Cruise Champion – ANZ – Rhona Rodgers, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents
• Cruise Line Champion – ANZ – Christine Oliver, AmaWaterways
• CLIA Hall of Fame – ANZ – Craig Harris, ISS-McKay Ltd New Zealand