ASTA Recognizes Travel Industry Superstars

The superstars of the travel industry were recently recognized by the American Society of Travel Advisors during a convention in Washington D.C.

ASTA feted frontline travel advisors and agency owners who go above and beyond in caring for their customers, as well as suppliers who are most supportive of the trade.

The awards were voted on by ASTA’s more than 9,600 members.

“As the national trade association for travel advisors and agencies of all business models, ASTA strives to promote excellence within the trade,” said ASTA President & CEO Zane Kerby. “Our annual global convention is the perfect time to recognize these best-in-class professionals and companies in front of their industry peers for their meaningful contributions to the travel industry.”

Travel Advisor of the Year

The top annual award for advisors is the ASTA Travel Advisor of the Year (formerly Extra Mile), sponsored again this year by Enterprise Holdings.

The award recognizes the travel advisor who has gone above and beyond over the past 12 months to provide exceptional service for a client in a new and creative way.

This year’s winner was Tracy Whipple of Travel On A Dream LLC in Deforest, Wisconsin. Runners-up included Brandi Brister of Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. in New York, New York and Marisel Aleman of Cruise Elite, Inc. in Ormond Beach, Florida.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award

The ASTA Entrepreneur of the Year Award was established by the Dan and Gloria Bohan Foundation to promote entrepreneurship in the travel and hospitality industry.

Each year the foundation, in conjunction with ASTA, selects one person or organization that best exemplifies this spirit of entrepreneurship to receive the award and a $10,000 cash prize.

This year’s winner was Pat Hager of Senior Travel Buddy in Escondido, California. The runners-up were Katelyn O’Shaughnessy of idoctours in Los Angeles, California and Gee Man of Meetings Suite in London, England.

Individual supplier awards were presented to companies that best support the advisor community, as voted on by the ASTA membership:

Supplier Partner of the Year: AmaWaterways

Supplier Representative of the Year: Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International

North American Airline Partner of the Year: United Airlines

International Airline Partner of the Year: Turkish Airlines

Lodging Partner of the Year: Marriott International

All-Inclusive Property Partner of the Year: Playa Resorts Management/Hyatt Ziva & Zilara

Contemporary Cruise Line Partner of the Year: Royal Caribbean International

Luxury Cruise Line Partner of the Year: Crystal Cruises

Premium Cruise Line Partner of the Year: Celebrity Cruises

River Cruise Line Partner of the Year: AmaWaterways

North America Destination Partner of the Year: Visit Anchorage

International Destination Partner of the Year: Israel Ministry of Tourism

Tour Operator Partner of the Year: The Mark Travel Corporation

Technology & Transaction Partner of the Year: Airlines Reporting Corporation

GDS Partner of the Year: Amadeus North America, Inc.

Travel Insurance Partner of the Year: Allianz Global Assistance

Car Rental Partner of the Year: Enterprise Holdings

Transportation Partner of the Year: Carey International

Partnership awards were also given to ASTA members, chapters and partner organizations:

ASTA Lifetime Achievement Award (2): John Haskins of Viking Travel Service in Naperville, IL and Gloria Bohan of Omega World Travel in Fairfax, VA

Consortia of the Year: American Express Travel & Lifestyle Services

Regional Consortia of the Year: MAST Travel Network

Host Agency of the Year: Nexion

ASTA Chapter of the Year: Arizona Chapter

ASTA Chapter on the Rise: Greater Dallas Fort Worth Chapter

International Chapter of the Year: Romania Chapter

International Chapter Participation: Kenya Chapter

ASTA advocates on behalf of the travel advisor community at all levels of government, within the industry and before the traveling public. The following awards were presented at ASTA’s black-tie Advocacy Dinner during Global Convention:

Chapter Advocacy Award: Long Island Chapter

Barbara O’Hara Advocacy Award (2): Eric Maryanov of All-Travel in Los Angeles, CA and Chris Seddelmeyer of Seddelmeyer Travel Concepts in Lima, OH

Paul Ruden Industry Ambassador Award: Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg of Valerie Wilson Travel, Inc. in New York, NY