Cruise Lines International Association Australasia’s 2022 Cruise Industry Awards last weekend recognised a trio of ‘Champions’ across three fields, including the perennial travel advisor, a new category for cruise lines, and a surprise media acknowledgment.
Cruise Champion, Australasia
Tasmania’s Robyn Sinfield of Home Travel Company was honoured with the title of Cruise Champion Australasia.
This award recognises an individual who actively champions on behalf of the cruise industry, with nominees required to explain and provide examples of how they embody CLIA’s mission of educating, advocating and promoting on behalf of the cruise industry in ways that extend beyond a sales focus and into the wider interests of the cruise community. Just last week, the Virtuoso travel advisor appeared on The Seven Network’s morning show, Sunrise, to promote a batch of special offerings with cruise lines.
Sinfield was one of three finalists, up alongside Barry Downs who regularly presents The Big Cruise Podcast, and Belle Goldie of itravel.
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Sinfield has been an active member of CLIA for more than 20 years and is an advisor to the Australasian cruise
industry through CLIA’s Travel Agent Advisory Committee.
She told LATTE first and foremost “this is not just my award,” emphasising it was a shared accolade with her husband, Murray.
“He’s my whole support,” Sinfield gushed.
It was the long-running support of the likes of Karen Christensen, Sarina Bratton, Andrew Milmore, Richard Cranmer, Diane Patrick and Robert Broadley who laid the foundations for Robyn and Murray’s joint success, Sinfield explained.
“Each gave of their individual time. I remember being in Melbourne with Murray at an ICCA (International Cruise Council Australasia) Masters Marketing day. Diane Patrick from Wiltrans (the general sales agent for Regent and Crystal at the time) helped us create a marketing plan – we could choose, Crystal or Regent.”
“And we chose Regent, Alaska. She threw money at us and we threw bookings back!”
“Such profound relationships and partnerships were formed with all cruise line members.
“No one likes change but it came and in March 2013 the ICCA was changed to be CLIA and we haven’t looked back, with solid management under Joel Katz,” Sinfield said.”Wonderful events/membership from Marita Nosic Lam and training from Peter Koller.”
