With just a few months until the 2026 WAVE Awards, travel advisors, top suppliers from across the industry and the TravelAge West team are all gearing up for the gala on June 4 at The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey in Los Angeles.
Now, the fates of all the Editor’s Picks (nominees) are in the hands of advisors, who are in the process of voting for their most reliable and dedicated partners, from airlines to car rental companies, cruise and river cruise lines, rail providers, tour operators, hotels and resorts, theme parks, destinations, travel insurance companies and tourism boards. And earning the advisor community’s vote of confidence is no small matter these days, as the industry continues to prove that real-life experience and personal relationships can make all the difference in an increasingly digital world.
“In the age of AI and influencers, it’s more important than ever to recognize travel advisors as the most trusted source of travel expertise,” said Mindy Poder, Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West. “But advisors are only as strong as their supplier partners. The WAVE Awards celebrate that relationship and both parties’ shared commitment to delivering exceptional, high-touch experiences for clients.”
Suppliers who support and prioritize travel agents understand that these partners are key to their success — and they earn recognition for it.
“Tourism Australia’s Aussie Specialist Program is regularly recognized by industry experts as a best-in-class advisor training program, and a crucial tool in how we promote Australia in the United States and Canada,” said Chris Allison, vice president of the Americas and New Zealand for Tourism Australia. “Being nominated for another WAVE Award is a true honor and a testament to the program’s enduring success within the advisor community.”
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The event is held on the waterfront in Los Angeles.
Credit: 2026 Nina Prommer/Volker CorellNow Featuring
The biggest changes to this year’s lineup of awards is in the cruise category, with lines being recognized by segment for the first time, including expedition, premium, luxury and ultra-luxury. Best Cruise Line – Ultra-Luxury is of special note, recognizing the increasing segmentation of the luxury market into more distinct tiers, with growing demand for experiences at the very top.
“At Silversea, we are hyper-focused on listening to our guests and creating the experiences that matter most to them,” said Bert Hernandez, president of Silversea, a nominee in the ultra-luxury category.
He notes that the line is committed to refining its offerings “as luxury continues to evolve.”
Other newly added categories this year include Best River Cruise Line for Onboard Cuisine and Best River Cruise Line for Suites.
Individual Achievement
In addition to a slew of returning awards, two staple WAVE features will also be part of the 2026 event: TravelAge West’s Leadership Awards and the Trendsetter Awards.
Last year, a trio of Leadership Awards — two recognizing Excellence in Leadership and one Legend of the West honor — went to Mike Julius, vice president of field sales for Carnival Cruise Line; Ray Snisky, president of ALG Vacations and Amstar DMC; and Matthew Eichhorst, president of Expedia Cruises. While this year’s honorees have yet to be announced, their legacies will most certainly represent not just contributions to the travel industry, but efforts to advance others within it.
The Trendsetter Awards, meanwhile, go out to travel advisors who are making a significant impact by elevating the advisor profession and bringing exceptional creativity to their business efforts. Innovative professionals are recognized in five categories: Best Use of Social Media; Upward Bound, Rockstar Advisor Under 40; Best Targeted Marketing Idea; Best Group Booking Effort; and Saving the Day.
The Trendsetter Awards honor advisors.
Credit: 2026 Nina Prommer/Volker CorellLast year’s winning efforts ranged from planning a full-ship, plant-based culinary group cruise to helping a destination wedding couple when the bride lost her mother in an accident just 10 days before the event.
At the end of the day, each and every award handed out during the WAVE gala will come down to one key factor: the relationships fostered between travel advisors and suppliers, which ultimately allow each side to do amazing things for travelers. It’s a celebration of how far those partnerships can take individuals, businesses and the industry as a whole.
“We’re honored to be recognized by TravelAge West … and we’re grateful to our travel advisor community for their continued partnership and trust,” said Paul Barry, CEO of Avanti Destinations, which is nominated in three categories. “Because Avanti sells exclusively through advisors, we make their success the focus of everything we do.”
Advisors can cast their vote through April 23 at TravelAgeWest.com/Wave/Vote.
