A total of 125 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 10 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, rail provider 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.
In addition, top travel agents were honored in four categories as part of the 2010 Trendsetters Awards, also presented at the gala. Categories included: Best Recession Survival Story or Strategy; Travel Agent Sales Superstar; Best Group Booking Sales Effort; and Best Community Service Effort.
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2010 WAVE Awards // (c) 2010 TravelAge West
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More than 5,300 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.
“This was an especially tough year for travel,” said Shapiro, “but the companies that received Wave awards rose above the difficulties and delivered exceptional experiences to travelers. They should be very proud of their achievements.”
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.”
TravelAge West will also feature the winners in a special WAVE Awards Spotlight Issue debuting June 21 on the new online WAVE Awards website center. The website will feature videos and slideshows from the WAVE Awards Gala, as well as expanded coverage of each WAVE Award winner and a bulletin board for posting congratulatory messages. A unique supplier-only marketing center on the site also enables companies to download customized WAVE logos, press release templates and photographs from the event.
A list of this year’s WAVE Award winners, as well as a list of Trendsetter Award Recipients, follows.
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TravelAge West 2010 WAVE Awards Winners
Best Onboard Entertainment
Disney Cruise Line
Best Teen Program
Royal Caribbean International
Best Cruise-Tour Program
Holland America Line
Cruise Line with the Highest Client Satisfaction
(Less Than 1,100 Passengers)
Crystal Cruises
Cruise Line with the Highest Client Satisfaction
(More than 1,100 Passengers)
Celebrity Cruises
Cruise Line Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Royal Caribbean International
Best New Ship (Ocean-Going)
Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
Best New Ship (River Cruise)
Amalyra, Amawaterways
Best U.S. Homeport
Fort Lauderdale
Best Overall Line for River Cruising
Viking River Cruises
River Cruise Line Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Viking River Cruises
Hotel/Resort Chain Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Hawaii
Outrigger Reef on the Beach
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Mexico
Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Caribbean
Dream Palm Beach Punta Cana
Best Luxury Resort, Hawaii
Halekulani
Best Resort for a Romance Vacation, Hawaii
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
Best Resort for a Romance Vacation, Mexico
Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya
Best Resort for a Romance Vacation, Caribbean
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Best All-Inclusive Resort, Mexico
Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort Riviera Maya
Best All-Inclusive Resort Caribbean
Beaches Turks & Caicos
Favorite European City
London
Favorite Asian City
Singapore
Best Destination for a Romance Vacation
Tahiti
Destination with the Highest Client Satisfaction, USA
Oahu, Hawaii
Best of the West: Best City for a Foodie Vacation
San Francisco
Favorite Three-Night Destination to Sell
Las Vegas
Best Airline, Domestic
Continental Airlines
Best Airline, International
Singapore Airlines
Best Tour Operator, Escorted
Globus Family of Brands
Best Tour Operator, FIT
Travel Impressions
Tour Operator Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Pleasant Holidays
Tour Operator With the Most Knowledgeable Reservations Staff
Classic Vacations
Best Tour Operator, Africa
Abercrombie & Kent
Best Tour Operator, Asia
Pacific Delight Tours
Best Tour Operator, Australia/New Zealand/South Pacific
Qantas Vacations
Best Tour Operator, Europe
Trafalgar Tours
Best Tour Operator, Hawaii
Pleasant Holidays
Best Tour Operator, Mexico
Pleasant Holidays
Best Tour Operator, Middle East
IsramWorld
Best Tour Operator, USA/Canada
Tauck
Car Rental Company Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Hertz Car Rental
Best North American Rail Vacation Provider
Rocky Mountaineer
Favorite Individual Hotel Sales Representative
Diane Fraser, Aston Hotels & Resorts
Favorite Individual Cruise Line Sales Representative
Lori Goldspiel, Royal Caribbean International
Favorite Individual Tour Operator Sales Representative
Elayne Raksnys, Insight Vacations
International Tourist Board Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Jamaica
TravelAge West Trendsetter Award Recipients for 2010
Best Recession Survival Story or Strategy
Winner: Andi Mysza, Montrose Travel
Runner-Up: Brad and Van Anderson from America’s Vacation Center/Avoya Travel
Travel Agent Sales Superstar
Winner: Nathan DePetris, Pride Travel
Runner-Up: Bruce Fisher, Hawaii-Aloha.com
Best Group Booking Sales Effort
Winner: Jeff Abels and Alicia Abels, SeaCruises
Runner-Up: Sharon Kay Howell, Travel Masters
Best Community Service Effort
Winner: Patrick Bastien, Altour
Runner-Up: Marc Kassouf, Pride Travel
WAVE Awards
Click here for full coverage of the 2010 WAVE Awards ceremony.
2009 WAVE Awards
See a list of the 2009 WAVE Award winners
