Tourexpi
The awards identify
individuals and organizations whose efforts and accomplishments
represent a significant contribution to the cruise industry. Award winners were
inducted during the CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Awards & Gala Dinner
during the CLIA Cruise360 conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Thursday,
April 18th, 2024.
"The 2024 Hall of Fame Winners
are an extraordinary group of industry leaders
with incredible passion for travel and limitless dedication to their
clients and guests," said Kelly Craighead, President and CEO, CLIA.
"They are innovators, visionaries, and a shining example of how hard work
and leadership lead to success. We are proud to honor their impressive
contributions to the cruise industry."
CLIA Congratulates its Hall of Fame Inductee
Class of 2024
LIFETIME
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
Awarded
to two individuals — one from the CLIA North American Travel Trade Membership
and one from either a CLIA Global Cruise
Line Member or River Marketing Affiliate — who are lifetime
champions of cruise travel and have made monumental contributions to the cruise
industry.
Christine
Duffy
President
Carnival
Cruise Line
Steering
the flagship brand of Miami-based global cruise industry leader
Carnival Corporation & plc. and the world's most popular cruise line,
Carnival Cruise Line, President Christine Duffy leads more than
48,000 team
members delivering fun and memorable cruises to more than 5.5 million guests
each year. Duffy is at the helm of all operations across Carnival's fleet of 27
ships sailing from 14 U.S. homeports and two homeports in Australia, where
she also oversees the operations of three ships that sail for P&O Cruises
Australia.
Duffy
most recently ushered the company through a rapid growth phase with the
acquisition of five new ships in a period of two years. The cruise line's fleet
expansion continues with two more of its largest and most innovative Excel-
class ships in 2027 and 2028. She's also currently focused on the development
of the cruise line's new exclusive destination, Celebration Key, which opens
in July 2025 on Grand Bahama.
Under
Duffy's leadership, Carnival became the first major U.S. cruise line to have
its entire fleet back in operations after the industry-wide pause. Part of that
restart coincided with the cruise line's implementation of Liquefied Natural
Gas, with Carnival's Mardi Gras becoming the first LNG-powered cruise
ship in North America. The same ship also took cruise ship attractions to
new heights with the introduction of BOLT: The Ultimate SeaCoaster, a first at
sea. Duffy's tenure also includes several major milestones in the company's
history, including the year-long celebration of its 50th birthday in 2022 and
the moment it welcomed its 100 millionth guest on board in 2023.
Expanding
the company's ubiquitous brand recognition, Duffy continues to build
partnerships, from inviting Shaquille O'Neal on board as the
company's Chief Fun Officer and Emeril Lagasse as the fleet's Chief Culinary
Officer, to meeting ambitious fundraising goals for St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital and supporting military families through Operation Homefront.
Duffy,
the cruise line's first woman president, has served in this role since 2015
while simultaneously advocating for the entire cruise industry – including an
appointment to the Secretary of Commerce to the United States Travel and
Tourism Advisory Board and having also served as chair of the U.S. Travel
Association, the national, non-profit organization representing all components
of the travel industry,
from 2020 to 2022. She joined Carnival
after a successful tenure as president and CEO of the Cruise
Lines International Association (CLIA), which represents the $120 billion global
cruise industry. As the first woman to lead CLIA, she elevated the industry's
profile before consumers, regulators, industry stakeholders and the media.
Prior
to CLIA, Christine spent 10 years at Maritz Travel Company, the world's largest
corporate meeting, events, and incentive travel company, where she was the
company's first woman president and CEO. While leading Maritz, Christine played
an important role with industry leaders and U.S. travel during the financial
crisis of 2008, raising awareness about the importance of business travel and
solidifying support in Washington. Her leadership led to a number of
initiatives, including the first-ever public/private partnership to promote
international travel to the U.S. creating what is known today as Brand USA.
Throughout her career, Duffy has been a strong supporter of women's leadership
in the travel industry, leading initiatives that delivered research and
programs to help women advance their careers.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
John Lovell, CTC
President
Travel
Leaders Group
John
Lovell, CTC, President of Travel Leaders Group, a division of Internova Travel
Group, is a travel industry veteran with more than two decades of executive
experience, a respected voice on travel trends and a leader in supporting the
charitable needs of the travel community. Based in Orlando, Fla., Lovell
leads a division that generates gross travel sales approaching $21 billion annually.
The
division includes Internova's consortia operation, its large host agency
and its wholly owned cruise, leisure, and specialty agencies. He oversees
Travel Leaders Group's partnerships with travel suppliers, including cruise
lines, tour operators, car rental companies and travel
insurance entities, working to strengthen their vital relationships
with travel advisors. As President of Travel Leaders Group, Lovell is also
responsible for the strategic operations, sales, marketing, and overall growth
of Travel Leaders Network, one of the largest travel agency organizations in North
America. Prior to his current role, which he took on in 2020, Lovell
served as President, Leisure Travel, Supplier Relations & Networks for
Travel Leaders Group and as President of Vacation.com. At the time,
Vacation.com was the largest travel agency consortium in the United States.
In 2016, Travel Leaders Network was formed when Travel
Leaders Franchise Group and Vacation.com were combined. Before
becoming President of Vacation.com in 2011, he held several
other positions within the company, including Vice President of Sales, Industry
Relations, and Revenue Management. He was originally hired in 2002 as Vice
President of Sales and Business Development. Before joining Vacation.com,
Lovell held the position of Director of Travel Industry Sales at ANC Rental
Corporation. He also worked as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for
Renaissance Travel Solutions. His first job in the travel industry was at the
Hertz Corporation, serving as Regional Sales Manager for the state of Florida.
Additionally, Lovell spent nine years at BAT Industries, working his way up to
Director of Global Accounts for the tobacco giant while based in London.
Lovell is recognized within the industry for his expertise on the growing
popularity of travel advisors, as well as cruise and leisure travel trends and
the retail travel business. But he is also a leader in connecting the travel
industry with those in need at home and around the world. In 2015, he founded
the Family Bonds Foundation, the nonprofit giving arm of Travel Leaders Group
that supports the charitable needs of those who work within the travel industry
as well as the broader community.
TRAVEL AGENCY OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER
Awarded
to a CLIA Travel Agency Member or Premier Agency Member that has demonstrated
innovative and visionary leadership in their approach to promoting cruise
travel, growing their cruise travel sales, and supporting their affiliated
travel advisors.
Travel
Planners International
Travel
Planners International (TPI) is recognized for its pivotal role in transforming
the travel industry through relentless innovation and a forward-thinking
approach. They empower travel professionals with cutting-edge
technology, comprehensive training, and robust marketing tools, setting a
high standard for excellence and creativity in delivering exceptional travel
experiences. TPI's 35-year influence is evident in its pioneering initiatives
and services, significantly shaping the travel sector's evolution. Their
commitment to innovation is reflected in their adaptive strategies, embracing
changes and emerging trends to stay ahead in a competitive market. This
forward-thinking mindset, led by President, Ken Gagliano,
COO/Executive Vice President,
Tony Gagliano, Jr., and Senior Vice President, Erwing
Hernandez, ensures TPI advisors are equipped with the latest tools and
knowledge to thrive in the dynamic travel landscape. The organization's
dedication to innovation extends to its business model and partnership
strategies, where they foster a culture of collaboration and entrepreneurial
spirit. By encouraging creativity and flexibility, TPI enables its advisors to
tailor unique travel experiences, leveraging the latest industry
insights and technologies to meet the ever-changing demands
of today's travelers. TPI's notable achievements and sustained industry
leadership highlight their unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and
the empowerment of travel professionals. Their enduring legacy is not just in
their accomplishments but in their continuous pursuit of pioneering solutions
that drive the travel industry forward, ensuring a vibrant future for travel
professionals and clients alike.
ELITE CRUISE COUNSELLOR OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER
Awarded
to a CLIA Individual Agent Member who has demonstrated their career commitment
to professional development through achievement of Elite Cruise Counsellor or
Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar status – the pinnacle of CLIA certification –
with the requisite sales requirements as well as significantly impacted the
travel agent landscape through contributions to their agency.
Michael Akana, ECCS
"Travel,
new experiences, and diverse culture challenges our assumptions about the
world. Believing travel opens up our minds and breaks us out of our
routine."
Michael
Akana is one of the few travel agents certified by Cruise Line Industry
Association (CLIA) as an Elite Cruise Counsellor Scholar (ECCS), the highest
level of CLIA certification. Michael also holds a master's degree in
Recreation, Hospitality and Tourism, is a Certified Travel Counselor from the
Travel Institute, and is an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor. Michael began selling
travel in 2006 following a career in management support of humanitarian
agencies. He continues humanitarian work in Disaster Response with the American
Red Cross, youth development with Kiwanis International and crisis response
and addiction treatment with El Centro de Libertad/The Freedom Center.
Michael serves on CLIA's Strategic Trade and Relations Board and is co- author
of the Travel Advisor's Handbook and the Travel Advisor's Cruise Handbook.
Image
Credit: © CLIA
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