A total of 126 companies, individuals and destinations were celebrated by the readers of TravelAge West as part of the TravelAge West WAVE (Western Agents’ Votes of Excellence) Awards held June 2 in Beverly Hills, Calif., at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. Honorees were recognized in 47 categories that spanned the cruise, tour operator, airline, hotel and resort, car rental and destination travel fields. The annual awards gave travel agents in the Western U.S. the opportunity to recognize the outstanding qualities and services of their travel supplier partners.
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View complete WAVE coverage, including profiles, photos and videos at wave.travelagewest.com.
In addition, top travel agents were honored in four categories as part of the 2011 Trendsetters Awards, also presented at the gala. Categories included: Best Use of Social Media, Upward Bound, RockStar Agent under 40, Best Group Booking Sales Effort and Industry Activist: Notable Achievements in Support of Travel Agents.
More than 4,100 travel agent professionals throughout the 14 Western states and readers of TravelAge West voted on the best-of-the-best from a list of Editor’s Pick award recipients that were chosen after careful review by TravelAge West Editor-in-Chief Kenneth Shapiro and the editorial team of TravelAge West. Review methods included product analysis, on-site visits, a survey of a select group of travel agents and online research.
“The editorial staff undertook hours of research and looked at a wide range of factors in making our picks,” said Shapiro. “The companies acknowledged with our Editor’s Pick designation provide travelers with truly exceptional experiences.”
At the black-tie event, guests dined on a four-course meal while being treated to a multimedia presentation of the award recipients.
“The WAVE Awards are a celebration of excellence in travel products, services and destinations,” said Michelle Rosenberg, publisher of TravelAge West. “This year’s WAVE winners have consistently demonstrated excellence within the travel marketplace.”
A list of this year’s WAVE Award winners, as well as a list of Trendsetter Award Recipients, follows
Editors Picks
The 2011 TravelAge West WAVE Award winners are:
AIR
Best Airline, Domestic
American Airlines
Continental Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Hawaiian Airlines
JetBlue
Best Airline, International
Singapore Airlines
British Airways
Cathay Pacific Airways
Lufthansa
Virgin Atlantic
CAR
Car Rental Company Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Hertz
Alamo Rent A Car
Avis Rent A Car
Budget Rent A Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
TOUR OPERATORS
Best Tour Operator, Escorted
Globus Family of Brands
Collette Vacations
Insight Vacations
Tauck
Trafalgar Tours
Best Tour Operator, FIT
Travel Impressions
Apple Vacations
Classic Vacations
GOGO Vacations
Pleasant Holidays
Best Tour Operator, Africa
Abercrombie & Kent
African Travel, Inc.
Big Five Tours & Expeditions
Micato Safaris
Best Tour Operator, Asia
Pacific Delight Tours
General Tours World Traveler
Ritz Tours
Sita World Tours
Best Tour Operator, Middle East
Abercrombie & Kent
General Tours World Traveler
IsramWorld
Ya’lla Tours
Best Tour Operator, Australia/New Zealand/South Pacific
Brendan Vacations
Pleasant Holidays
Qantas Vacations
Swain Tours
Best Tour Operator, Hawaii
Pleasant Holidays
All About Hawaii
Blue Sky Tours
Classic Vacations
GOGO Vacations
Best Tour Operator, Mexico
Apple Vacations
Classic Vacations
GOGO Vacations
Pleasant Holidays
Travel Impressions
Best Tour Operator, USA/Canada
Collette Vacations
Globus Family of Brands
Tauck
Travel Bound
Travel Impressions
Best Tour Operator, Europe
Trafalgar Tours
Brendan Vacations
Globus Family of Brands
Insight Vacations
Tauck
Best Tour Operator, Central/South America
Avanti Destinations
Globus Family of Brands
Brendan Vacations
Latour
Most Knowledgeable Tour Operator Reservations Staff
Classic Vacations
Globus Family of Brands
Insight Vacations
Tauck
Trafalgar Tours
Tour Operator Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Globus Family of Brands
Classic Vacations
Pleasant Holidays
Tauck
Trafalgar Tours
CRUISE
Best New Ship (Ocean-Going)
Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Cruises
Nieuw Amersterdam, Holland America Line
Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line
Queen Elizabeth, Cunard Line
Best New Ship (River Cruise)
Avalon Luminary, Avalon Waterways
Amabella, AMAWATERWAYS
River Tosca, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Best Cruise Line for Expedition Cruising
Lindblad Expeditions
American Safari Cruises
Orion Expedition Cruises
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Voyages to Antiquity
Best Cruise Line for Group Travel
Royal Caribbean International
Carnival Cruise Lines
Holland America Line
Princess Cruises
Best Health and Wellness Program on a Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Cunard Line
Holland America Line
Royal Caribbean International
Yachts of Seabourn
Best Onboard Dining Venue
Restaurant 2 (Seabourn Sojourn)
150 Central Park (Oasis of the Seas, RCI)
Murano (Celebrity Eclipse)
Silk Road (Crystal Serenity)
Cruise Line Providing the Highest Client Satisfaction (Big Ship)
Disney Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Princess Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Cruise Line Providing the Highest Client Satisfaction (Small Ship)
Crystal Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Silversea Cruises
Cruise Line Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Royal Caribbean International
Celebrity Cruises
Holland America Line
Princess Cruises
Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising
Viking River Cruises
AMAWATERWAYS
Avalon Waterways
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
River Cruise Line Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Viking River Cruises
AMAWATERWAYS
Avalon Waterways
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Best Cabin Features & Amenities on a River Cruise Line
AMAWATERWAYS
Avalon Waterways
Scenic Tours
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Viking River Cruises
HOTELS/RESORTS
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Caribbean
Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma (Bahamas)
Viceroy Anguilla (British West Indies)
Zoetry Agua Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Hawaii
St. Regis Princeville Resort (Kauai)
Kauai Marriott Resort (Kauai)
King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel (Big Island)
Sheraton Waikiki (Oahu)
Trump International Hotel & Tower Waikiki Beach Walk (Oahu)
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Mexico
Zoetry Casa del Mar Los Cabos (Los Cabos)
Banyan Tree Cabo Marques (Acapulco)
The Fairmont Acapulco Princess (Acapulco)
Best Resort for Families, Hawaii
Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa (Oahu)
Hilton Waikoloa Village (Big Island)
Aston Kaanapali Shores (Maui)
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa (Kauai)
Grand Wailea (Maui)
Best All-Inclusive Resort, Mexico
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun (Riviera Cancun)
Azul Sensatori Hotel, by Karisma (Cancun)
Grand Velas Riviera Maya (Riviera Maya)
Royal Hideaway Playacar (Riviera Maya)
Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya (Riviera Maya)
Best All-Inclusive Resort, Caribbean
Sandals Grande St. Lucian (St. Lucia)
Beaches Turks & Caicos (Turks & Caicos)
Club Med Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)
Dreams Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)
Best Resort for a Hawaiian Cultural Experience
Kaanapali Beach Hotel (Maui)
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu (Big Island)
Kona Village Resort (Big Island)
Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows (Big Island)
Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach (Oahu)
Hotel/Resort Chain Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts
Marriott International
DESTINATIONS
Best Destination for Beach Vacation
Hawaii
Jamaica
Mexico
Tahiti
Destination With the Highest Client Satisfaction, Asia
China
India
Japan
Singapore
Thailand
Destination With the Highest Client Satisfaction, Europe
Ireland
France
Great Britain
Italy
Spain
Best of the West: Favorite Destination for a Family Vacation
Hawaii
Alaska
Disneyland Resort
San Diego
Best Destination for a Honeymoon/Romance Vacation
Tahiti
Hawaii
Italy
Jamaica
Mexico
Favorite Three-Night Destination to Sell
Disneyland Resort
Las Vegas
Los Cabos
San Francisco
