Catriona Parsons, Hays Travel head of cruise commercial; Edwina Lonsdale, managing director of Mundy Cruising; and Cruise Britain became the first three to enter the Hall of Fame after being honoured at Clia’s annual Winter Ball on Thursday (8 November).
- Parsons was recognised by Clia for being "one of the leading advocates for cruise within retail businesses that are well represented on the high street". She was praised for her "can-do attitude, resilience and belief in cruise holidays" and "growing cruise as a proportion of Hays’ holiday business via an innovative approach, engaging their internal team as well as the entire cruise industry". Her award was presented by Jo Rzymowska, vice-president and managing director EMEA of Celebrity Cruises.
- Lonsdale was hailed as a "visionary in the industry and in cruise retailing" and for "taking her business from strength to strength and being a true ambassador for the whole of the cruise community". Her success was attributed to "hard work, expertise, building relationships across the cruise community, and on providing a dedicated service that treats every single cruise holiday, and every customer, as something very special". Her award was presented by Bernie Carter, managing director and senior vice-president of Oceania Cruises.
- Cruise Britain, meanwhile, was commended for "shining a light on the benefits of inbound cruise tourism, as well as cruise holidays that start in the UK". The organisation was credited with developing a "special relationship" with Clia, that has spearheaded and supported a "range of new partnership initiatives across the cruise eco-system, that have helped maximise the economic and social benefits of cruise tourism, and to foster a successful and sustainable industry". Their award was presented by Rob Scott, vice-president sales and marketing at P&O Cruises.
Andy Harmer, Clia managing director UK and Ireland, said: "Many congratulations to our first ever Hall of Fame inductees. It is a privilege to work in an industry with such inspiring contemporaries and we would like to thank them for their incredible work and vision.
"It is a tribute to our winners that their organisations, and indeed the wider cruise sector, have finished the year in such an encouraging position. They should all feel enormously proud of their accomplishments."
Clia said the Hall of Fame would now become a regular fixture in the cruise calendar, awarded annually at the Winter Ball.
