TravelAge West, the leading travel industry trade publication in the Western U.S., has announced its Editor’s Picks as part of the magazine’s 2013 WAVE Awards.
Now in its eighth year, the goal of TravelAge West’s WAVE (Western Agents’ Vote of Excellence) Awards is to give travel agents in the West the opportunity to recognize the outstanding qualities and services of their travel-supplier partners.
The Editor’s Picks were chosen by Editor-in-Chief Kenneth Shapiro and the entire 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.
“After months of tireless research, our editorial team has compiled a comprehensive list of the industry’s top hotels, cruise lines, tour operators and destinations,” said Shapiro. “We know that Western travel agents need to work with the best in the industry in order to stay competitive and, as the number-one travel trade magazine in the West, we remain committed to honoring the travel companies that continue to lead the way.”
In addition to this distinction, Editor’s Pick honorees are also in the running for a WAVE Award, to be determined by a TravelAge West readers’ choice poll conducted during the month of April. The voting is open to readers of the print and online publication, available at www.travelagewest.com.
Editor’s Pick recipients will be celebrated at the WAVE Awards Gala on June 6 at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills where the readers’ choice winners will be announced as well. TravelAge West will include a special WAVE Awards section in the July 8 issue, highlighting award winners.
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TravelAge West is the leading trade magazine for travel agents and the travel industry in the 14 Western U.S. states. Serving more than 22,000 readers for 44 years, the biweekly magazine is a main source of news and product information for the region’s agents and travel executives. TravelAge West is a part of Northstar Travel Media LLC, a worldwide provider of information, news and data for the travel and hospitality industry. Northstar Travel Media is based in Secaucus, N.J.
TravelAge West's 2013 Editor's Picks
AIRLINE
Best Airline, Domestic
Alaska Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Hawaiian Airlines
United Airlines
Virgin America
Best Airline, International
Air New Zealand
Emirates
Lufthansa
Singapore Airlines
Virgin Atlantic Airways
CRUISE
Cruise Line with Highest Customer Satisfaction (less than 1,100 passengers)
Azamara Club Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seabourn Cruise Line
Cruise Line with Highest Customer Satisfaction (more than 1,100 passengers)
Celebrity Cruises
Holland America Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Best Shore Excursions (Ocean-going)
Azamara Club Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Holland America Line
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Best Shore Excursions (River Cruise)
AmaWaterways
Avalon Waterways
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Viking River Cruises
Cruise Line Providing Best Travel Agent Support
Celebrity Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
River Cruise Line Providing Best Travel Agent Support
AmaWaterways
Avalon Waterways
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Viking River Cruises
Best New Ship (Ocean-going)
Carnival Breeze
Celebrity Reflection
Disney Fantasy
Oceania Riviera
Best Onboard Entertainment
Carnival Cruise Lines
Disney Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean International
Best Onboard Dining (Ocean-going)
Crystal Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Seabourn Cruise Line
Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising
Avalon Waterways
AmaWaterways
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Viking River Cruises
Best New Ship (River Cruise)
AMACerto
Avalon Vista
Queen of the Mississippi
Scenic Crystal
Viking Odin
Best Onboard Dining (River Cruise)
AmaWaterways
American Queen Steamboat Company
Tauck River Cruises
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Viking River Cruises
RAIL
Best North American Rail Vacation Provider
Alaska Railroad
Amtrak
Rocky Mountaineer
Via Rail Canada
Tour Operator
Tour Operator Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Classic Vacations
GOGO Vacations
Globus Family of Brands
Pleasant Holidays
Travel Impressions
Best Tour Operator, Escorted
Abercrombie & Kent
Globus Family of Brands
Insight Vacations
Tauck
Trafalgar
Best Tour Operator, FIT
Apple Vacations
Classic Vacations
GOGO Vacations
Pleasant Holidays
Travel Impressions
Best Tour Operator, Hawaii
Apple Vacations
Blue Sky Tours
Classic Vacations
GOGO Vacations
Pleasant Holidays
Best Tour Operator, Mexico
Apple Vacations
Classic Vacations
MLT Vacations
Pleasant Holidays
Travel Impressions
Best Tour Operator, USA/Canada
Collette Vacations
Globus Family of Brands
Tauck
Trafalgar
Travel Impressions
Best Tour Operator, Europe
Brendan Vacations
CIE Tours
Globus Family of Brands
Insight Vacations
Trafalgar
Best Tour Operator, Asia
Pacific Delight Tours
Ritz Tours
SITA World Tours
Wendy Wu Tours
Best Tour Operator, Africa/Middle East
Abercrombie & Kent
African Travel, Inc.
Great Safaris
Isramworld
Ya’lla Tours USA
Best Tour Operator, Central/South America
Avanti Destinations
Brendan Vacations
G Adventures
Globus Family of Brands
Latour
Best Tour Operator, Caribbean
Apple Vacations
Funjet Vacations
GOGO Vacations
Pleasant Holidays
Travel Impressions
Car Rental
Car Rental Company Providing Best Agent Support
Alamo Rent A Car
Avis Rent a Car
Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Hertz Rent-a-Car
Resort/Hotel
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Hawaii
Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa
Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach
Sheraton Kauai Resort
Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Mexico
Hard Rock Hotel Cancun
Hotel RIU Palace Peninsula
Iberostar Cancun
Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla
Secrets The Vine Cancun
Best Resort for Families, Mexico
Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda
Club Med Ixtapa Pacific
Azul Sensatori Hotel, by Karisma
Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa
Best Resort for Couples, Hawaii
Four Seasons Resort Lana’i, The Lodge at Koele
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Halekulani
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Travaasa Hana
Best All-Inclusive Resort, Mexico
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Le Blanc Spa Resort
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun
Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya
Best All-Inclusive Resort, Caribbean
Couples San Souci
Iberostar Grand Bavaro
Sandals Emerald Bay
Secrets St. James Montego Bay
Best Resort for Families, Caribbean
Atlantis
Beaches Turks & Caicos
Club Med Punta Cana
Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Caribbean
Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort
Hotel RIU Palace Bavaro
Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort
Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort
Best Hotel Chain USA/Canada
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts
InterContinental Hotel Group
Marriott International
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide
Hotel/Resort Chain Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Aston Hotels & Resorts
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts
Marriott International
Sandals
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide
Destinations
Best of the West: Best Western Destination for Gay Travel
Hawaii
Las Vegas
Los Angeles
Palm Springs
San Francisco
Destination with the Highest Client Satisfaction, Europe
France
Great Britain
Ireland
Italy
Spain
Destination with the Highest Client Satisfaction, Asia
China
India
Japan
Singapore
Thailand
Favorite Three-Night Destination to Sell
Disneyland
Las Vegas
Los Cabos
San Francisco
Best Destination for Adventure, USA
Alaska
California
Colorado
Hawaii
Destination with the Highest Client Satisfaction, USA
Hawaii
Las Vegas
New Orleans
New York
Travel Insurance
Best Travel Insurance Company
Allianz
Travel Guard
Travelex
Travel Insured Internationall
Tourism Board
International Tourist Board Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Tourism Australia
Tourism Ireland
Japan National Tourism Organization
Jamaica Tourist Board
Mexico Tourism Board
