VIKING (pictured) and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises have defended their respective titles at the 2024 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA), in what was a banner night for the sector.
The two lines were once again named Most Popular Ocean Cruise Operator and Most Popular River Cruise Operator on the industry’s night of nights, taking out the two biggest prizes up for grabs at the awards.
Viking Director of Sales Keira Smith told CW a love for the trade is behind their success.
“Our philosophy is, we want to be the [easiest] cruise line to do business with…we want to be that source of everyone walking into a travel agent and saying ‘I want to book Viking’,” she said.
Uniworld MD Alice Ager told CW of her cruise line’s win: “it’s being warm, friendly, approachable… we put the travel agents at the heart of everything we do as a team, and I think that’s what has won this award.”
Also proudly representing the sector on the night was National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, which won the supplier Sustainability Award, snatching the gong away from last year’s winner Hurtigruten.
Cruise Lines International Association was voted as the Most Outstanding Travel Industry Training Institution, taking back the award it last won in 2022.
The sector’s highest individual honour on the night went to APT’s Barbara Baron, who was named Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Cruise.
Next year’s NTIAs will be hosted in Brisbane, Australian Travel Industry Association Chief Executive Officer Dean Long revealed on the night (TD breaking news). MS