The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) recognized the superstars of the travel industry last month at the 2022 ASTA Global Convention in San Francisco.
Voted by the ASTA membership, supplier awards were given to companies and individuals who recognize the value of the agency community. This year’s winners were:
- Partner Company of the Year: Royal Caribbean
- Partner Representative of the Year: Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean
- Airline Partner of the Year: Delta Airlines
- Transportation Partner of the Year: Enterprise Holdings
- GDS Partner of the Year: Sabre
- Hotel Partner of the Year: Marriott International
- Ocean Cruise Line Partner of the Year: Royal Caribbean
- River Cruise Line Partner of the Year: AmaWaterways
- Tour Operator Partner of the Year: Globus Family of Brands
- Travel Insurance Partner of the Year: Allianz Global Assistance
- North American Destination Partner of the Year: Hawaiian Islands
- International Destination Partner of the Year: Los Cabos
- Sustainability Partner of the Year: Virgin Voyages
- Supplier Medal of Excellence: Royal Caribbean
Partnership awards were also given to ASTA members, chapters and partner organizations who show the greatest support for the association. This year’s honorees included:
- ASTA Travel Advisor of the Year: Melinda Fortunato, Owner, Best Travel
- ASTA Consortium Partner of the Year: Signature Travel Network and Virtuoso
- ASTA Regional Consortium of the Year: MAST Travel Network
- ASTA Host Agency of the Year: Nexion Travel Group and Travel Planners International
- ASTA Franchise Partner of the Year: Cruise Planners and Dream Vacations
- ASTA Member Service Award: Fell Travel, Inc.
- ASTA Chapter on the Rise: ASTA New York City Small Business Network Chapter
- ASTA Chapter President of the Year: Shelly Phillips, ASTA Alabama Chapter
- Regional Director of the Year: Deb Belchak, Lazy Dayz Travel, LLC
- ASTA Susan D. Tanzman Inspiration Award: Camille Olivere, Globus Family of Brands
The newest membership award at ASTA honors the late Robert (Bob) Duglin, who served as vice president of international membership and host agencies and the managing director of ASTA’s Small Business Network until his passing in 2021. To honor his dedicated service, as a volunteer leader and staff member, ASTA renamed its Chapter of the Year award in his honor.
The ASTA chapter that exudes special qualities of conscientiousness, community building and overall excellence is awarded the Robert L. Duglin Chapter Excellence Award. This year’s winner is the ASTA Rocky Mountain Chapter, represented by chapter president Rob Hale.
The Entrepreneur of the Year competition took center stage at the ASTA Global Convention after a two-year pause. This year, the audience voted for the winner after each of the three finalists presented the highlights of his or her project. In the end, the winner of the $10,000 grand prize from the Dan & Gloria Bohan Foundation and the honor of ASTA’s 2022 Entrepreneur of the Year went to Debby Corwin, founder of TA Toolkit.
At ASTA’s annual black-tie Advocacy Dinner, the society celebrated the year’s advocacy wins and honored its top supporters. The following awards were announced at the event:
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Arnold Donald, vice chair of the Board of Directors of Carnival Corporation
- Paul Ruden Industry Ambassador Award: Dave Hershberger, Prestige Travel, Inc.
- Barbara O’Hara Advocacy Award: Jenn Lee, Travel Planners International and Betsy Geiser, Uniglobe Travel Center
- John Haskins Chapter Advocacy Award: ASTA South Florida Chapter
