FOR IMMEDIATE MEDIA ATTENTION
CONTACT: Lisa Frobisher
TravelAge West Marketing Manager
310-954-2514
lfrobisher@travelagewest.com
LOS ANGELES — More than 190 companies, individuals and destinations were celebrated by the readers of
TravelAge West as part of the WAVE Awards held June 8 in Marina del Rey, Calif., at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey. Honorees were recognized
in 76 categories that included cruise, tour operator, airline, hotel and resort, destination, rail vacation and travel insurance companies. The annual awards give travel advisors the opportunity to recognize the outstanding qualities and services of their
travel supplier partners.
In addition, top travel advisors were honored in four categories as part of the 2023 Trendsetters Awards, also presented at the gala. Categories included: Best Use of Social Media, Upward Bound Rock Star Advisor Under 40, Best Group Booking Effort and
Best Targeted Marketing Idea.
More than 6,500 travel advisor professionals throughout the U.S. and readers of TravelAge West voted on the best-of-the-best from a list of Editor’s Pick award recipients that were chosen after careful review by Kenneth Shapiro, Publisher and
Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West and the editorial team of
TravelAge West. Review methods included product analysis, on-site visits, a survey of a select group of industry advisors and online research.
“With travel booming post-pandemic, the WAVE Awards have taken on an even greater significance,” Shapiro said. “Travel advisors want to acknowledge the great travel companies that go above and beyond to take such good care of their customers as they once
again travel the world.”
This year,
TravelAge
West once again awarded its Excellence in Leadership Award, which honors
individuals who, in the course of their careers in travel and tourism, have consistently
demonstrated leadership and insight, effected change or innovation and made
extraordinary contributions to both organizations and the industry at large. The 2023
TravelAge West Excellence in Leadership
Awards went to Michele Saegesser, Rodrigo Esponda Cascajares and Scott Koepf.
All of our Leadership Award winners show true dedication to the travel industry, helping to make their brands and organizations models for others to follow,” Shapiro said.
TravelAge
West will feature WAVE Awards coverage in the July 10, 2023 issue.
A list of this year’s WAVE Award winners, as well as a list of Trendsetter Award Recipients, follows.
TravelAge
West (www.travelagewest.com) has been serving the travel industry for 54 years as a leading source of travel industry news and product information. For more information about TravelAge West, contact
Lisa Frobisher at 310-954-2514 or lfrobisher@travelagewest.com.
* * * * * * * * *
2023 WAVE AWARDS
WAVE CATEGORIES & WINNERS
AIR
Best Airline Vacation Brand
Delta Vacations
Best Airline, Domestic
Delta Air Lines
Best Airline, International
Air France
Best International First/Business Class
Emirates
Best Airline Loyalty Program
Delta Air Lines
CRUISE
Cruise Line with the Highest Client Satisfaction (less than 1,300 passengers)
Viking
Cruise Line with the Highest Client Satisfaction (more than 1,300 passengers)
Celebrity Cruises
Cruise Line Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support (ocean-going)
Royal Caribbean International
Expedition Cruise Line Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support
Silversea Cruises
Small-Ship Cruise Line Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support
Windstar Cruises
Best New Ship (ocean-going)
Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean
International
Best New Expedition Ship
Seabourn Venture, Seabourn Cruise Line
Best Onboard Dining Venue
Pink Agave, Virgin Voyages
Best Cruise Line for Shows and Nightlife
Royal Caribbean International
Best Cruise Line for Families
Carnival Cruise Line
Best Cruise Line for Caribbean Sailings
Royal Caribbean International
Best Cruise Line for Alaska Sailings
Princess Cruises
Best Cruise Line for Antarctica Sailings
Lindblad Expeditions - National
Geographic
Best Cruise Line Private Island
CocoCay, Royal Caribbean International
Best World Cruise
Viking
Best Cruise Line for Luxury
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
RIVER CRUISE
River Cruise Line With the Highest Client Satisfaction
AmaWaterways
River Cruise Line Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support
Viking
Best New River Cruise Ship
Avalon View, Avalon Waterways
Best River Cruise Line for U.S. Sailings
Viking
Best River Cruise Line for Families
AmaWaterways
Best River Cruise Line for Luxury
AmaWaterways
RAIL
Best Rail Vacation Provider
Railbookers
TOUR OPERATOR
Escorted Tour Operator Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support
Globus Family of Brands
FIT Tour Operator Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support
Pleasant Holidays
Best FIT Tour Operator, Europe
Classic Vacations
Best Escorted Tour Operator, Europe
Globus Family of Brands
Best Tour Operator, Africa
Abercrombie & Kent
Best Tour Operator, Asia
Trafalgar
Best Tour Operator, Australia/New Zealand/South Pacific
Pleasant Holidays
Best Tour Operator, Caribbean
Funjet Vacations
Best Tour Operator, Central/South America
Globus Family of Brands
Best Tour Operator, Hawaii
Pleasant Holidays
Best Tour Operator, Mexico
Funjet Vacations
Best Tour Operator, USA
Collette
Best Tour Operator for Adventure Travel
G Adventures
Best Tour Operator for Multigenerational Travel
Adventures by Disney
Best Luxury Tour Operator
Abercrombie & Kent
Best Tour Company Foundation for Responsible Travel
The TreadRight Foundation, The Travel
Corporation
Best DMC, Europe
Titanium Tours
CAR RENTAL
Car Rental Company Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support
Enterprise
Car Rental Company Providing the Highest Client Satisfaction
Enterprise
RESORT/HOTEL
Hotel/Resort Chain Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support
Marriott International
All-Inclusive Hotel/Resort Chain Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support
Sandals Resorts
Best All-Inclusive Hotel Chain, Caribbean
Sandals Resorts
Best All-Inclusive Hotel Chain, Mexico
Playa Hotels & Resorts
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Mexico
Secrets Moxche Playa del Carmen
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Caribbean
Sandals Royal Curacao
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Hawaii
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
Best All-Inclusive Resort Brand for Romance, Mexico
Secrets Resorts & Spas
Best All-Inclusive Resort Brand for Romance, Caribbean
Sandals Resorts
Best Hotel Brand, USA
Marriott International
Best Hotel Brand, Hawaii
Outrigger Resorts & Hotels
Best Hotel Brand for Families, Hawaii
Outrigger Resorts & Hotels
Best Hotel Brand for Families, Mexico
Dreams Resorts & Spas
Best Hotel Brand for Families, Caribbean
Beaches Resorts
Best Luxury Hotel Brand
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
DESTINATIONS
Destination With the Highest Client Satisfaction, USA
Hawaii
Destination With the Highest Client Satisfaction, Mexico
Los Cabos
Destination With the Highest Client Satisfaction, Caribbean
Jamaica
Destination With the Highest Client Satisfaction, Europe
Italy
Destination With the Highest Client Satisfaction, Asia
Thailand
Destination With the Highest Client Satisfaction, Pacific
Australia
Destination With the Highest Client Satisfaction, Central/South America
Costa Rica
Destination With the Highest Client Satisfaction, Africa
South Africa
Destination With the Highest Client Satisfaction, Middle East
Jordan
Favorite Three-Night Destination to Sell
Los Cabos
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel Insurance Company Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support
Allianz Partners
Travel Insurance Company Providing the Highest Client Satisfaction
Allianz Partners
TOURISM BOARD
U.S. Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support
Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
International Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support
Jamaica Tourist Board
2023 TRENDSETTERS
UPWARD
BOUND, ROCK STAR ADVISOR UNDER 40
Winner
Theresa Chu-Bermudez
Get Out! Custom Travels
Runner-Up
Nikki Miller
Travel with Nikki
BEST GROUP
BOOKING EFFORT
Winner
Celeste Peters
Runner-Up
Tawnee Sons and Julie Irovando
World2Sea
BEST TARGETED
MARKETING IDEA
Winner
Casey Kiler
Runner-Up
Claire Maguire
Island Girl Travel and Vacations
BEST
USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Winner
Allison Jones
Destinations to Explore
Runner-Up
Angela Adto Tepper
AZA Luxury Travel
2023 Excellence
in Leadership Award
Michele Saegesser
Viking
2023 Excellence
in Leadership Award
Rodrigo Esponda Cascajares
Los Cabos Tourism Board
2023 Excellence
in Leadership Award
Scott Koepf
Cruise Planners
