The American
Society of Travel Writers (ASTA) awarded standouts of the travel industry during
its annual awards reception held at the Travel Advisor Conference in Salt Lake
City May 20-22, 2025.
Voted on annually by ASTA membership, awards go to the members,
chapters and supply partners that best support ASTA’s overall mission. Members
also vote on the supplier company and representative that embodies the spirit
of partnership.
"We celebrate the dedication, innovation and passion
for travel advising as the entire industry continues to elevate. The advisors
go above and beyond to serve their clients and lead by example, and we are
honored to stand with them at the forefront of travel’s bright future,” said
Zane Kerby, President and CEO of ASTA.
This year, ASTA
also debuted its inaugural "Community Compass Award" this year. This
award honors a local hero for their outstanding service to the host community
of the Travel Advisor Conference. The inaugural recipient, Brandy Vega of Salt
Lake City, was the unanimous first choice among voters, recognized for her
tireless commitment to mental health advocacy and her impactful work through
the nonprofit organization, Promise2Live.
2025 ASTA Partner
& Member Awards include:
Supplier Partner Awards
- Partner Company of the Year: AmaWaterways
- Partner Representative of the Year: Kristin
Karst, Co-Founder & Chief Brand Ambassador, AmaWaterways
- Airline Partner of the Year: Delta Air Lines
- Transportation Partner of the Year: The Hertz
Corporation
- GDS Partner of the Year: Sabre
- Hotel Partner of the Year: Mariott International
- Ocean Cruise Line Partner of the Year: Royal
Caribbean International
- River Cruise Line Partner of the Year:
AmaWaterways
- Tour Operator Partner of the Year: Globus family
of brands
- Travel Insurance Partner of the Year: Allianz
Partners
- North American Destination Partner of the Year:
The Hawaiian Islands
- International Destination Partner of the Year:
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
- Supplier Medal of Excellence: Lisa Watson,
Owner, Fynd Travel
Membership Awards
- Travel Advisor of the Year: Asia Lantz, owner of
Travel with Asia
- Consortium Partner of the Year: Signature Travel
Network
- Regional Consortium Partner of the Year: MAST
Travel Network
- Host Agency Partner of the Year: Uniglobe Travel
Center
- President's Travel Advisor Leadership Award:
Rhonda Shumway, President, TerraMar Travel
- ASTA Chapter on the Rise: Vickie Edwards – North
Florida Chapter
- George “Eddie” Woodham Chapter President of the
Year Award: Tama Holve – Southern California Chapter
- Regional Director of the Year: Shelly Phillips –
Southeast Region
- Robert L. Duglin Chapter Excellence Award:
Virginia Peterson – Upper Midwest Chapter
- ASTA Chair Award: Camille Olivere, Globus Family
of Brands
- ASTA Community Compass Award: Brandy Vega,
Promise2Live
Advocacy Awards
- John Haskins Chapter Advocacy Award: Greater New
Orleans Chapter
- Barbara O’Hara Award: Chris Seddelmeyer, Owner,
Travel Concepts
- Paul Ruden Industry Ambassador Award: Jackie
Friedman, President, Nexion Group
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