Among the brightest stars honoured over the weekend’s CLIA Cruise Industry Awards in Sydney was Flynn Cox of Travel Associates Howick, who was named CLIA’s Rising Star for New Zealand.
Cox, who was a finalist last year, was humble with his win. “I am just so thankful that everyone has believed in me, and it’s everyone’s support that has got me where I am.”
Among his biggest supporters is Travel Associates, and head of luxury Kelly De Graaf who says the company is so proud of him.
“He was a finalist last year so to take it out this year is incredible,” she adds. “He’s so passionate about cruising, and he’s really proactive; he really owns that space of going out here.” This win, De Graaf adds, is just the start for Cox. “I’m really excited to see what he does.”
. . . Cruise Stores
Cox’s win highlights Travel Associates’ increasing focus on the cruise sector, with De Graaf telling Travel Today that the group is looking at opening a cruise boutique.
“It’ll be a collection of agents across New Zealand who are really passion ate about luxury cruising,” she says. “They’ll all work together virtually to drive the luxury cruise market in New Zealand.”
Flynn Cox is pictured with kiwi Rising Star finalist Kurt Johnston of Flight Centre Botany Town.
