AAA Travel Presents Its Partners of the Year, Travel Agent Superlative Awards

Image: 2023 AAA Travel Conference banner. (Source: AAA)
Image: 2023 AAA Travel Conference banner. (Source: AAA)
Laurie Baratti
by Laurie Baratti
Last updated: 7:25 PM ET, Mon October 16, 2023

At AAA Travel's annual Travel Conference held this year Austin, Texas, one of North America's premier leisure travel agencies rolled out the red carpet for its Partner of the Year Awards. These prestigious accolades shine a spotlight on partners who've gone above and beyond, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to delivering top-notch travel services to AAA travel agents and members in their respective product categories. These awards recognize excellence, not just in product quality and consistency, but also in terms of marketing, member service, and support for travel advisors. 

The organization also took the opportunity to publicly honor its top-performing travel advisors. In recognition of their outstanding sales performances, these extraordinary individuals were presented with AAA’s Travel Agent Superlative Awards during the event. It's all about acknowledging excellence and commitment in the world of travel, and these awards are a testament to the dedication of the partners and advisors who make unforgettable journeys a reality for their clients.

“Travel is our passion, and we are proud to work with the best travel companies in the industry,” said Paula Twidale, Senior Vice President of AAA Travel. “We’re thrilled to announce this year’s Partner of the Year Awards to some of the most trusted and prestigious travel brands that offer exceptional value to our members. We’re also proud to recognize top AAA travel agents who work tirelessly to provide quality travel services and ensure memorable vacations.” 

AAA Travel Partner of the Year Awards 2023  

AAA Travel Category Award Winners 2023  

Best in Marketing

  • Cruise: Royal Caribbean International 
  • Lodging: Hyatt
  • Tour: Pleasant Holidays 

 

Best in Member Support 

  • Cruise:  Royal Caribbean International 
  • Lodging: Hilton 
  • Tour: Pleasant Holidays 

 

Best in Travel Agency Support

 

Superlative Award Winners 2023  

  • Highest Association Sales Volume Overall: Xanthe Ostrowski- AAA Minneapolis 
  • Highest Association Revenue Produced Overall: Xanthe Ostrowski- AAA Minneapolis 
  • Highest Association Preferred Cruise Sales:  Xanthe Ostrowski- AAA Minneapolis 
  • Highest Association Preferred Tour Sales: Beth Rackham- AAA Auto Club Group 

 

2023 Best in Class Award Winners 

  • Highest Association Sales Volume Overall 
  • Mega/Large Club: Joanna Kuo- AAA Club Alliance 
  • Mid-Size Club: Chris Blazer- AAA Washington 
  • Smaller Club: Xanthe Ostrowski- AAA Minneapolis 
  • CAA: Novella Troia- CAA Manitoba 

 

Highest Association Revenue Produced Overall 

  • Mega/Large Club: Joanna Kuo- AAA Club Alliance 
  • Mid-Size Club: Chris Blazer- AAA Washington 
  • Smaller Club: Xanthe Ostrowski- AAA Minneapolis 
  • CAA: Novella Troia- CAA Manitoba 

 

Highest Association Preferred Cruise Sales 

  • Mega/Large Club: Joanna Kuo- AAA Club Alliance 
  • Mid-Size Club: Chris Blazer- AAA Washington 
  • Smaller Club: Xanthe Ostrowski- AAA Minneapolis 

 

Highest Association Preferred Tour Sales

  • Mega/Large Club: Beth Rackham- AAA Auto Club Group 
  • Mid-Size Club: Mamie Cimato- AAA Western Central New York 
  • Smaller Club: Xanthe Ostrowski- AAA Minneapolis 

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Laurie Baratti

Laurie Baratti

Assistant Editor

Laurie Baratti is an Assistant Editor for TravelPulse. She is a San Diego-based journalist whose work has previously appeared in publications like TravelAge West, SPACE, Modern Home + Living, Montage, and Sandals Life magazines. Travel writing has long been her passion, and she is always looking for excuses to explore the world outside of her native California. Laurie is also a lifelong equestrian, a proud pet-parent, and an underground advocate of the Oxford comma.

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