LOS ANGELES — A total of 133 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 7 in Beverly Hills, Calif., at the Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. Honorees were recognized in 49 categories that spanned the cruise, tour operator, airline, hotel and resort, rail vacation 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 three categories as part of the 2012 Trendsetters Awards, also presented at the gala. Categories included: Upward Bound, RockStar Agent Under 40, Best Group Booking Sales Effort, and Industry Activist - Notable Achievements in Support of Travel Agents.
More than 4,500 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.
“Travelers in the West have a unique perspective and they are very travel savvy,” said Shapiro, “so Western travel agents need to work with the best companies in the industry in order to please their customers. As the number-one travel trade magazine in this dynamic region, we look forward to the opportunity to acknowledge the hotels, cruise companies, tour operators, destinations and others that go above and beyond.”
New to this year’s WAVE Awards, TravelAge West introduced the ‘Excellence in Leadership Award’ honoring an individual who, in the course of their career in travel and tourism, has consistently demonstrated leadership and insight, effected change or innovation and made extraordinary contributions to both organizations and the industry at large. The 2012 TravelAge West Excellence in Leadership Award honoree is Michelle Morgan, President of Signature Travel Network.
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 acknowledge companies that have consistently demonstrated excellence within the travel marketplace,” said Jack Grant, publisher of TravelAge West. “The awards celebrate the best of the best in travel as picked by travel agents who are true experts in the field.”
A list of this year’s WAVE Award winners, as well as a list of Trendsetter Award Recipients, follows.
TravelAge West (www.travelagewest.com) has been serving the travel industry for over 40 years as a leading source of travel industry news and product information. Read by travel agents, travel suppliers and travel industry professionals, the publication has a circulation of over 22,000 readers in 14 Western U.S. states.
2012 WAVE Award Recipients
Best Airline, Domestic
Delta Air Lines
Best Airline, International
Singapore Airlines
Best North American Rail Vacation Provider
Rocky Mountaineer
Best Tour Operator, Escorted
Globus Family of Brands
Best Tour Operator, FIT
Travel Impressions
Best Tour Operator, Africa
Abercrombie & Kent
Best Tour Operator, Asia
Pacific Delight Tours
Best Tour Operator, Middle East
IsramWorld
Best Tour Operator, Australia/New Zealand/South Pacific
Qantas Vacations
Best Tour Operator, Hawaii
Pleasant Holidays
Best Tour Operator, Mexico
Apple Vacations
Best Tour Operator, USA/Canada
Collette Vacations
Best Tour Operator, Europe
Trafalgar
Best Tour Operator, Central/South America
Tauck
Most Knowledgeable Tour Operator Reservations Staff
Globus Family of Brands
Tour Operator Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Globus Family of Brands
Best New Ship (ocean-going)
Celebrity Silhouette
Best New Ship (river cruise)
Super Ship Antoinette, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Cruise Line Providing the Highest Client Satisfaction (more than 1,100 passengers)
Celebrity Cruises
Cruise Line Providing the Highest Client Satisfaction (less than 1,100 passengers)
Crystal Cruises
Cruise Line Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Royal Caribbean International
Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising
Viking River Cruises
River Cruise Line Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Viking River Cruises
Best Onboard Entertainment
Royal Caribbean International
Best Line for Cruise Value (ocean-going)
Norwegian Cruise Line
Best Line for Cruise Value (river cruise)
AmaWaterways
Best Onboard Teen Program
Royal Caribbean International
Best World Cruise
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Caribbean
Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Hawaii
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa (Oahu)
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Mexico
Azul Fives Hotel, by Karisma (Cancun)
Hotel/Resort Chain Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Starwood Hotels and Resorts
Best Hotel Children’s Program, Hawaii
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa (Oahu)
Best Resort Spa, Hawaii
Spa at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu (Hawaii Island)
Best Resort Spa, Mexico
Spa at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita (Punta Mita)
Best Resort Spa, Caribbean
Red Lane Spa at Sandals Royal Bahamian (the Bahamas)
Destination With the Highest Client Satisfaction, Asia
China
Destination With the Highest Client Satisfaction, Europe
Ireland
Best Hawaiian Island for Outdoor Activities
Maui
Best Destination for a Destination Wedding
Hawaii
Favorite Three-Night Destination to Sell
Las Vegas
Best Mexico Destination for a Cultural Experience
Riviera Maya
Best of the West: Best Western Destination for a Ski Vacation
Vail (Colorado)
WRITE-IN CATEGORIES
Favorite Individual Hotel Sales Representative
Diane Fraser, Aston Hotels & Resorts
Favorite Individual Tour Operator Sales Representative
Susan Creighton, Travel Impressions
Favorite Individual River Cruise Sales Representative
Michael Weldon, Viking River Cruises
Favorite Individual Cruise Sales Representative
Jeff Geston, Celebrity Cruises
International Tourist Board Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Jamaica Tourist Board
TravelAge West 2012 Trendsetter Award Recipients
Best Group Booking Sales Effort
Winner: Debra Kerper, Easy Access Travel
Runner Up: Maureen Dinnocenzo, Above & Beyond Travel
Upward Bound, RockStar Agent Under 40
Winner: Ryan McGredy, Moraga Travel
Runner Up: Daniela Harrison, Avenues of the World Travel
Industry Activist, Notable Achievements in Support of Travel Agents
Winner: Jason Coleman, Jason Coleman, Inc.
Runner Up: Marc Kassouf, PRIDE Travel
