Cruise industry names best of best

Michael Middleton of Ignite Travel Group is “Cruise Champion Australasia”.

Michael, a good friend of West Travel, was awarded the title at the the 22nd annual CLIA Cruise Industry Awards.

And the company for which he is general manager cruise, Ignite Travel Group, was named Australasia’s Multi Location/Brand Cruise Agency of the Year.

Cruise Lines International Association Australasia is the association of leading member cruise lines.

Seventy five finalists from Australia and New Zealand were in the running for the 16 awards presented at a gala dinner at Sydney’s Star Event Centre in Sydney on Saturday, March 8.

CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz says this year’s awards reflect an increasingly diverse travel agent community in Australia and New Zealand.

“We can see new faces and first-time winners in this year’s awards, which is a sign of the fresh talent emerging from within an expanded CLIA membership,” he explains. “At the same time, we can also see several well-established achievers in the Australasian cruise community — members who have consistently shown leadership and inspiration over many years.”

“The cruise industry is incredibly grateful for the passion and professionalism shown by all our travel agent members, and we congratulate all the award winners and finalists for their role in cruising’s global success.”

THE WINNERS

Agency of the Year Categories

Cruise Agency of the Year, Multi Location/Brand – Australasia Ignite Travel Group

Cruise Agency of the Year, Single Location – Australia Destination HQ

Cruise Agency of the Year, Single Location – New Zealand House of Travel Kapiti Coast

Online Cruise Agency of the Year, Australasia Cruise Guru

Broker of the Year, New Zealand, Tied, Michelle Downey, Bucket List Travel / Robert Schroder, Mondo Travel

Mobile / Home Based Agent of the Year Australia Lauren Jenkins, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents

Cruise Consultant of the Year, Australia Samantha Renvoye, Clean Cruising

Cruise Consultant of the Year, New Zealand Natasha Warfield, Toussaint & Turner Travel Associates

Rising Star, New Zealand Melissa Duder, House of Travel Taupo

Rising Star, Australia Shane Black, SW Black Travel

Cruise Champion, Australasia Michael Middleton, Ignite Travel Group

Promotion and Media Categories

Cruise Month Promotion of the Year, Australasia Cruise Express “CLIA Cruise Month Discover and Learn”

Network Cruise Promotion of the Year, Australasia Travel Associates “Luxury Cruise Season”

Agency / Agent Cruise Promotion of the Year, Australasia Luxury Escapes “Sail Away Sale”

Media Award, Australasia Jocelyn Pride, Signature Luxury Travel & Style, “Into the wild”

2024 Hall of Fame Stuart Allison

Stuart is now based in the UK as P&O Cruises chief commercial officer, but was recognised for his longstanding industry leadership and his role in transforming the Australasian region into one of the world’s most dynamic cruise markets. He most recently lead Princess Cruises as its Sydney-based senior vice-president, Asia Pacific, UK and Europe.