Close to 600 cruise experts gathered for the 23rd Cruise Industry Awards in Sydney, and the record turnout was an opportunity to celebrate those who ‘set the benchmark’, says CLIA Australasia boss Joel Katz.
“They elevate the entire industry through their commitment to excellence,” he added. Pukekohe Travel was arguably the biggest Kiwi winner at the cruise awards, named New Zealand’s Single Location Cruise Agency of the Year, while the company’s Lisa Wharfe won the prestigious New Zealand Cruise Consultant of the Year title.
Pukekohe Travel director Damian O’Connor says the agency win was ‘absolutely sensational’, and a massive team effort. His advice for others looking to follow in his footsteps is innovate and look after your team. “Just keep trying, keep pushing, keep thinking, keep innovating,” he says. “Don’t sit still, and have amazing staff and look after them.”
. . . Cruise ‘Superstar’
O’Connor says the team couldn’t do it without multi-award-winning Wharfe. “This is the most amazing, superstar, outstanding cruise consultant New Zealand has ever seen.” Wharfe says the agency win is testament to what it has been working hard for over the past few years. Touching on her personal win, Wharfe says she was ‘totally blown away’.
“It’s taken me by surprise. It’s just such a great calibre of people that are up for this award; it’s a dream come true.”
A humble Wharfe attributes her win to Pukekohe Travel, who she has been with for some 15 years.
“I’m very, very lucky to work for who I work for. I’d love to thank all the management at Pukekohe Travel for all they’ve done to support me…also the colleagues I work with.”
Her advice, to other agents, is to follow your dreams and passions, look after who you work with, and support suppliers. This year’s awards attracted 1200 nominations, the highest number ever received.
Katz says the cruise body has never had so much involvement from its ANZ agent members. Australasia, he says, is the most ‘engaged and dynamic’ CLIA region globally.
