|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Local travel agency, Pukekohe Travel, has been named Cruise Agency of the Year at the annual Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) Australasian Cruise Industry Awards.
The Cruise Industry Awards honour those who champion the cruise industry through innovation, training, and exceptional cruise sales.
At the gala dinner held in Sydney on March 7, a total of 15 awards were presented to travel agencies and individuals, chosen from 83 finalists from across Australia and New Zealand.
This year’s awards attracted around 1,200 nominations from across the CLIA membership, the highest number ever received.
Pukekohe Travel director Damian O’Connor said the win reflected the massive effort of the whole Pukekohe Travel team.
“This win is absolutely sensational and reflects the hard work and dedication of our whole team. Our small agency punches above its weight within the cruise industry, and it’s wonderful to have our passion and commitment recognised at this level.”
This is the fourth time the agency has won the title, having previously won in 2016, 2014, and 2019.
“We continuously look for opportunities for our team to learn, experience cruising, and stay at the forefront of industry knowledge so that we can deliver a truly exceptional, trusted service to our clients,” O’Connor said
Pukekohe Travel Senior Travel Consultant Lisa Wharfe also came away as one of the top individual winners, taking home the prestigious New Zealand Cruise Consultant of the Year title – making the agency the biggest Kiwi winner on the night.
“Lisa is an absolute superstar, and having someone with her expertise as part of our team is truly wonderful. It’s fantastic to see her dedication and passion for cruising recognised by the industry.
She’s an outstanding cruise consultant, and this win is a testament to all her hard work over the 15 years she’s been at Pukekohe Travel.”
Pukekohe Travel is locally owned and operated and has been a fixture on Pukekohe’s main street for 48 years. O’Connor, along with his business partner and fellow director Craig Boyt, leads a team of 16 specialising in escorted tours, New Zealand rail tours, cruising, and all aspects of leisure and family travel.
