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TravelAge West Announces Its 2014 Editor’s Pick Recipients
FEBRUARY 28, 2014 (Los Angeles) — EcoAdventures, Inc. has been honored with a TravelAge West 2014 Editor’s Pick Award in the category of Best Tour Operator Central/South America as part of the TravelAge West WAVE (Western Agents’ Votes of Excellence) Awards.
Now in its ninth year, the goal of TravelAge West’s WAVE Awards is to give travel agents in the West the opportunity to recognize the outstanding qualities and services of their travel-supplier partners.
The Editor’s Picks were chosen by Editor-in-Chief Kenneth Shapiro and the entire editorial team of TravelAge West. Review methods included product analysis, on-site visits, a survey of a select group of travel agents and online research.
“As the top travel trade publication in the West, it’s important that TravelAge West acknowledge the suppliers that go above and beyond for travel agents,” said Shapiro. “These awards are a lot of work for our staff, but we remain committed to doing whatever it takes to honor the travel companies that lead the way.”
In addition to this distinction, Editor’s Pick honorees are also in the running for a WAVE Award, to be determined by a TravelAge West readers’ choice poll conducted during the month of April. The voting is open to readers of the print and online publication, and will be available at www.travelagewest.com/WAVE.
Editor’s Pick recipients will be celebrated at the WAVE Awards Gala on June 5 at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., where the readers’ choice winners will be announced as well. TravelAge West will include a special WAVE Awards section in the July 7 issue, highlighting award winners.
"We are honored to be nominated for TravelAge West Editor's Pick Award for Best Tour Operator, Central/South America" exclaimed EcoAdventures' President and CEO, Alma Megeath. "It is also gratifying that the dedication and expertise of EcoAdventures' staff has been recognized, as well as the hard work of our outstanding service providers in Latin America. We ensure that only the best local ground operators work with us. The most important and rewarding thing for us is when the travel agents' clients have the trip of a lifetime."
* * * * * * * * *
EcoAdventures,
Inc. was founded in 1992 by a group of dedicated travel people who collectively
represent over 75 years of travel industry experience, and share the belief
that ecologically responsible tourism will heighten awareness of global
ecological issues, and further the efforts to preserve fragile and endangered
ecosystems. EcoAdventures specializes in individual itineraries and
small groups and takes every precaution to minimize the ecological impact
of tourism on the areas visited. EcoAdventures also believes and hopes that the growing
economic sector of ecotourism will supplant more exploitative activities.
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TravelAge West is the leading trade magazine for travel agents and the travel industry in the 14 Western U.S. states. Serving more than 22,000 readers for 45 years, the biweekly magazine is a main source of news and product information for the region’s agents and travel executives. TravelAgeWest.com is a winner of a Gold Award from the North American Travel Journalists Association for Best Travel Journalism Website. TravelAge West is a part of Northstar Travel Media LLC, a worldwide provider of information, news and data for the travel and hospitality industry. Northstar Travel Media is based in Secaucus, N.J.
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TravelAge West’s 2014 Editor’s Picks
AIR
Best Airline, Domestic
• Alaska Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• JetBlue
• Southwest Airlines
• Virgin America
Best Economy Class, Domestic
• Alaska Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• JetBlue
• Virgin America
• United Airlines
Best Business/First-Class, Domestic
• American Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• United Airlines
• Virgin America
Best Airline, International
• British Airways
• Emirates
• Lufthansa
• Singapore Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic Airways
CRUISE
Cruise Line with Highest Client Satisfaction (less than 1,100 passengers)
• Azamara Club Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Oceania Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Seabourn Cruise Line
Cruise Line with Highest Client Satisfaction (more than 1,100 passengers)
• Celebrity Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean International
Best Family Accommodations/Experience (Ocean-going)
• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Disney Cruise Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean International
Best Kids’ Program
• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Disney Cruise Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean International
Best Shore Excursions
• Azamara Club Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Oceania Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Silversea Cruises
Cruise Line Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
• Celebrity Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean International
Best New Ship (Ocean-going)
• Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Cruises
• Europa 2, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
• Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Cruise Line
• Royal Princess, Princess Cruises
Best Onboard Entertainment (Ocean-going)
• Carnival Cruise Lines
• Disney Cruise Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean International
Best Onboard Dining (Ocean-going/less than 1,100 passengers)
• Azamara Club Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Seabourn Cruise Line
• Silversea Cruises
Best Onboard Dining (Ocean-going/more than 1,100 passengers)
• Celebrity Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Oceania Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean International
Best Refurbished Ship
• Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Cruise Lines
• Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Cruises
• Pride of America, Norwegian Cruise Line
• Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International
Best Overall Cruise Line for River Cruising
• AmaWaterways
• Avalon Waterways
• Tauck
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
• Viking River Cruises
River Cruise Line Providing Best Travel Agent Support
• AmaWaterways
• Avalon Waterways
• Tauck
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
• Viking River Cruises
Best New Ship (River Cruise)
• AmaPrima, AmaWaterways
• Avalon Expression, Avalon Waterways
• Queen Isabel, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
• Scenic Jewel, Scenic Cruises
• Viking Bragi, Viking River Cruises
Best Staterooms
• AmaWaterways
• Avalon Waterways
• Scenic Cruises
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
• Viking River Cruises
Best Onboard Dining (River Cruise)
• AmaWaterways
• American Queen Steamboat Co.
• Tauck
• Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
• Viking River Cruises
RAIL
Best North American Rail Vacation Provider
• Alaska Railroad
• Amtrak Vacations
• Rocky Mountaineer
• VIA Rail Canada
TOUR OPERATOR
Tour Operator Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
• Globus Family of Brands
• Pleasant Holidays
• Tauck
• Trafalgar
• Travel Impressions
Best Tour Operator, Escorted
• Abercrombie & Kent
• Globus Family of Brands
• Insight Vacations
• Tauck
• Trafalgar
Best Tour Operator, FIT
• Avanti Destinations
• Monograms
• Pleasant Holidays
• Gogo Vacations
• Travel Impressions
Best Tour Operator for Adventure
• CW Adventures (formerly Country Walkers)
• G Adventures
• International Expeditions
• Mountain Travel Sobek
• Zegrahm & Eco Expeditions
Best Tour Operator, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific
• Goway Travel
• Pleasant Holidays
• Swain Destinations
• Travel2
• Worldwide Traveler
Best Tour Operator, Hawaii
• Apple Vacations
• Blue Sky Tours
• Classic Vacations
• Gogo Vacations
• Pleasant Holidays
Best Tour Operator, Mexico
• Apple Vacations
• Classic Vacations
• MLT Vacations
• Pleasant Holidays
• Travel Impressions
Best Tour Operator, USA/Canada
• Adventures by Disney
• Collette
• Globus Family of Brands
• Insight Vacations
• Tauck
Best Tour Operator, Europe
• CIE Tours International
• Globus Family of Brands
• Insight Vacations
• Tauck
• Trafalgar
Best Tour Operator, Asia
• General Tours World Traveler
• Pacific Delight Tours
• Ritz Tours
• Sita World Tours
• Wendy Wu Tours
Best Tour Operator, Africa
• Abercrombie & Kent
• African Travel, Inc.
• Cox & Kings
• Great Safaris
• Micato Safaris
Best Tour Operator, Middle East
• G Adventures
• General Tours World Traveler
• Globus Family of Brands
• IsramWorld
• Ya’lla Tours USA
Best Tour Operator, Central/South America
• Avanti Destinations
• EcoAdventures
• Globus Family of Brands
• Goway Travel
• Latour
Best Tour Operator, Caribbean
• Apple Vacations
• Funjet Vacations
• Gogo Vacations
• Pleasant Holidays
• Travel Impressions
CAR RENTAL
Car Rental Company Providing Best Agent Support
• Alamo Rent A Car
• Avis Rent a Car
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• Hertz Rent-a-Car
Car Rental Company Providing the Highest Client Satisfaction
• Alamo Rent A Car
• Avis Rent a Car
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car
• Hertz Rent-a-Car
RESORT/HOTEL
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Mexico
• Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
• El Dorado Royale, a Spa Resort, by Karisma
• Nizuc Resort & Spa, Las Brisas Hotel Collection
• Secrets Aura Cozumel, AMResorts
Best New Resort or Major Renovation, Caribbean
• Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa
• Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Puerto Rico
• Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, St. Lucia
Best Resort for Weddings, Mexico
• Azul Beach Hotel by Karisma, Riviera Maya
• Barcelo Puerto Vallarta
• Grand Velas Riviera Maya
• One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos
• Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya
Best Resort for Weddings, Caribbean
• Couples Swept Away, Jamaica
• Jade Mountain St. Lucia
• Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort, Punta Cana
• Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa, Jamaica
• Secrets St. James Montego Bay
Best Hotel Chain, Europe
• Hilton Worldwide
• Iberostar Hotels & Resorts
• InterContinental Hotels Group
• Kempinski
• Sofitel
Best Hotel Chain, Hawaii
• Aqua Hotels and Resorts
• Aston Hotels & Resorts
• Hilton Hawaii
• Outrigger Hotels & Resorts
• Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii
Best All-Inclusive Hotel Chain, Mexico
• AMResorts
• Palace Resorts
• Karisma Hotels & Resorts
• Riu Hotels & Resorts
• Melia Hotels International
Best All-Inclusive Hotel Chain, Caribbean
• AMResorts
• Club Med
• Sandals Resorts International
• Iberostar Hotels & Resorts
• Barcelo Hotels & Resorts
Best Luxury Hotel Brand
• Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
• Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts
• Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
• The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company
• St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Best Hotel Brand, USA
• Hilton Worldwide
• Hyatt Hotels Corporation
• InterContinental Hotels Group
• Marriott International
• Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Hotel/Resort Chain Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
• InterContinental Hotels Group
• Hilton Worldwide
• Hyatt Hotels Corporation
• Marriott International
• Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
DESTINATIONS
Best of the West: Best Destination for a Wellness Vacation
• Arizona
• California
• Hawaii
• New Mexico
Destination with the Highest Client Satisfaction, Europe
• France
• Great Britain
• Ireland
• Italy
• Spain
Destination with the Highest Client Satisfaction, Asia
• China
• Hong Kong
• Japan
• Singapore
• Thailand
Destination with the Highest Client Satisfaction, Central/South America
• Argentina
• Belize
• Costa Rica
• Panama
• Peru
Favorite Three-Night Destination to Sell
• Disneyland Resort (Anaheim, Calif.)
• Greater Palm Springs
• Las Vegas
• Los Cabos
• San Francisco
Best Destination for Adventure, Mexico
• Cancun/Riviera Maya
• Chiapas
• Cozumel
• Los Cabos
• Puerto Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit
Best Beach Destination for a Romance Vacation
• Hawaii
• Jamaica
• Mexico
• Tahiti
Destination with the Highest Client Satisfaction, USA
• California
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Nevada
• New York
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Best Travel Insurance Company
• Allianz
• CSA Travel Protection
• Travel Guard
• Travelex Insurance Services
• Trip Mate
TOURISM BOARD
Tourism Board Providing the Best Travel Agent Support
• Tourism Australia
• Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau
• Tourism Ireland
• Jamaica Tourist Board
• Mexico Tourism Board