More than 110 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 dinner held June 4 in Beverly Hills. Honorees were recognized in 44 categories that spanned the cruise, tour operator, airline, hotel and resort and destination travel fields. The awards gave travel agents in the Western U.S. the opportunity to recognize the outstanding qualities and services of their travel supplier partners.
 |
Editor-in-Chief Ken Shapiro presides over the
TravelAge West 2009 WAVE Awards |
In addition, top travel agents were honored in five categories as part of the 2009 Trendsetters Awards, also presented at the gala.
Travel agent professionals throughout the 14 Western states and readers of TravelAge West were invited to vote on the best-of-the-best from a list of Editor’s Pick award recipients that were chosen after careful review by Editor-in-Chief Ken 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.
“After extensive research by our editorial staff, we have no doubts that the companies we’ve honored are truly the best in their fields,” said Shapiro. “We are delighted to acknowledge them with this award.”
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 due out in August 2009.
2009 WAVE Award Recipients
Best Onboard Dining
Insignia
Oceania Cruises
Best Spa Facility, Cruise
Freedom of the Seas
Royal Caribbean International
Best Onboard Children’s Program
Disney Cruise Line
Best Line for River Cruising
Viking River Cruises
Best New Ship (Ocean-going)
Eurodam
Holland America Line
Best New Ship (River Cruise)
Avalon Scenery
Avalon Waterways
Cruise Line with the Highest Client Satisfaction
Celebrity Cruises
Cruise Line with the Highest Client Satisfaction
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Best Travel Agent Support, Cruise
Royal Caribbean International
Best Travel Agent Support, River Cruise
Viking River Cruises
Best Travel Agent Incentive Program, Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Best Resort for Families, Mexico
Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa
Best Resort for Families, Hawaii
Hilton Waikoloa Village
Best Resort for Families, Caribbean
Beaches Turks & Caicos
Best Resort Spa, Mexico
Royal Hideaway Spa at Royal Hideaway Playacar
Best New Property or Major Renovation, Mexico
Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico
Best New Property or Major Renovation, Hawaii
Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Best New Property or Major Renovation, Caribbean
Iberostar Rose Hall Suites
Best Travel Agent Support, Hotel
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Best Travel Agent Incentive Program, Hotel
Marriott International
Best Tour Operator
Globus Family of Brands
Best Tour Operator, Africa
Abercrombie & Kent
Best Tour Operator, Middle East
Isramworld
Best Tour Operator, Hawaii
Pleasant Holidays
Best Tour Operator, Mexico
Apple Vacations
Best Tour Operator, Asia
Pacific Delight Tours
Best Tour Operator, Europe
Tauck World Discovery
Best Tour Operator, Australia/New Zealand/South Pacific
Qantas Vacations
Most Knowledgeable Reservations Staff
Classic Vacations
Best Travel Agent Support, Tour Operator
Pleasant Holidays
Best Airline, Domestic
Continental
Best Airline, International
Singapore Airlines
Best Travel Agent Support, Car Rental
Hertz
Favorite Weekend Destination to Sell
Disneyland Resort, Anaheim
Best Destination for a Beach Vacation, Mexico
Riviera Maya
Best Destination for a Beach Vacation, Caribbean
Jamaica
Best Country for Cultural Travel, Asia
China
Best Family Destination, Europe
Ireland
Best Vacation Value, Europe
Spain
Best Luxury Resort in the Western US
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Favorite Individual Sales Rep Recipients
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
Cheryl Breen
Classic Vacations
International Tourist Board
Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
Jamaica Tourist Board
TravelAge West 2009 Trendsetter Award Recipients
Best Group Booking Sales Effort
Winner
Jason Coleman, Jason Coleman, Inc.
Runner-up
Sharon Kay Howell, Travel Masters
Best Community Service Effort
Winner
Denise Emory, Cruise & Tour Escapes
Runner-Up
Marc Kassouf, Pride Travel
Best One-Time Sales Event
Winner
Michael Ginsburg, Michaels Travel Centre, Inc.
Runner-Up
Roberta Christman, AAA Northern CA, NV, UT
Best Agency Advertising Campaign
Winner
All-Travel.com
Runner-Up
InSightCruises.com
Best Employee Recruitment/Education Program
Winner
Paula Mitchell Manning, Call Lynn 2 Travel
Runner-Up
Dianne Tuttle, Academy Cruises & Tours/Academy Travel School
Photo Tour
Click here to view a photo tour of the 2009 WAVE Awards
Click here to view a video from the 2009 WAVE Awards
