The International Cruise Council Australasia (ICCA) has named the finalists vying for top honours at next month's 2012 annual cruise industry awards.
Contending the Australia cruise agency of the year category is Bicton Travel, WA; Cruiseabout, Turramurra, NSW; Our Vacation Centre, Gaven, Queensland; Ozcruising, Philip, ACT and Phil Hoffmann Travel in Glenelg, SA.
Meanwhile, cruise consultant of the year will be between Martine Hero from Clean Cruising in Brisbane; Gina Maitland, Alpha Travel, Claremont WA; Lance Mumby, Cruise Express, Balmain, NSW; Avlon Murphy, Our Vacation Centre in Gaven, Queensland and Robert Watson, Cruiseabout, Turramurra, NSW.
Three finalists will battle it out to be crowned Australia's Rising Star: Emma Blacklow from Hobart-based RACT Travelworld; Stacey Skinner from Jetset Travel in Warrnambool, Victoria and Courtney Vidotto from Ozcruising, Philip, ACT.
Other categories include Agency Promotion of the Year and Network Promotion of the Year.
The cruise awards take place at the Hilton Sydney on February 9.
Pictured is Lisa Wilkinson, host of the 2011 ICCA awards, with Phil Hoffmann, who was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the cruise industry. Phil Hoffmann Travel is in the running for more awards at this year's awards.
"2012 was a strong year for the local industry and there is no doubt all the nominees have played a full part in that performance," ICCA general manager Brett Jardine said.
