The best cruise lines and
travel agencies have been
recognised at Australia’s
National Travel Industry Awards.
PRINCESS CRUISES AND APT WERE THE CRUISING
industry’s big winners at the annual NTIA
gala event on Saturday.
Held at the Westin Sydney and hosted by
Getaway presenter Jules Lund, the black-tie
awards ceremony was attended by almost
1000 travel agents and suppliers.
APT was voted best international-based
cruise operator, and Princess was best
Australian-based cruise operator.
Susan Haberle, APT’s national sales
manager, said the victory was a significant
boost for both the company and river
cruising.
“This category is traditionally won by an
ocean cruise company so the fact APT was
nominated, let alone won it, indicates the
industry’s recognition of what a large
cruising player we now are,” Haberle said.
“We are flattered that our trade partners
view APT as one of the best global cruise
operators in the Australian market, in terms
of product, reservations, marketing, sales,
operations and of course our great onboard
crew.”
Other finalists in the category included
Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Princess
and Avalon.
APT was also a finalist in the best
domestic tour operator category (won by
AAT Kings) and best international tour
operator award (won by Insight Vacations).
Birge, Princess Cruises’ commercial
director, Carnival Australia, said the
company was “extremely honoured” to be
recognised as the best Australian cruise
operator for the third year in a row.
“Princess Cruises has been active in the
Australian market for decades and has had
ships based here for the past 10 years, with
each year bringing more growth,” he said.
“Later this year we’ll introduce a fourth
ship, Sea Princess, to Australia, joining Sun
Princess, Dawn Princess and Diamond
Princess, as we keep providing Australians
the chance to escape completely.”
Adelaide’s Phil Hoffmann Travel, which
has won various cruise awards in the past,
scooped two awards: best retail travel
agency (multiple locations) and best
innovation in marketing.
Harvey World Travel Lane Cove, in NSW,
won best travel agency (single location).
In other general travel categories, winners
included Travelscene American Express (best
agency group); Qantas (best domestic
airline); Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines
(best international airlines); and Accor (best
hotel group).
