The S.T.A.R.s shine at Sandals' annual awards

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) celebrated and honoured top travel agents at the 18^th annual Sandals Travel Agency Recognition (S.T.A.R.) Awards during a gala ceremony held at Beaches Turks and Caicos December 9th, 2019.

Welcoming 560 travel advisors and companions from Canada, the United States, Latin America and the United Kingdom, the event in Providenciales recognized everyone’s hard work and commitment to the Sandals brand, both during the awards ceremony and over the course of the entire four-night event.

Many notable figures from the Turks and Caicos community attended the awards ceremony, including the Governor of Turks and Caicos Islands, His Excellency Nigel John Dakin; Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Anya Williams; The Minister of Tourism, Hon. Ralph Higgs; Consul General for Jamaica, Allen Hutchinson and MHA Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Labor and Employment Services, Hon. Vaden Williams.

Established in 2002, Sandals Resorts created the S.T.A.R. Awards to recognize top travel agents and their agencies while also showcasing their latest products and on-island attractions.

In addition to top product, regional and national categories, the S.T.A.R. Awards announced the Worldwide Top Ten Travel Agencies, Chairman and CEO Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Awards.   

Canadian agents were recognized on multiple levels including:

Chairman's Royal Club Members

Two Canadians achieved this coveted Certified Sandals Specialist status as top performing agents:

Lois Barbour – Travel Time TPI

Kim Hartlen – Kim Hartlen Travel TPI

Worldwide Awards

CEO Award of Excellence: Sandy Willett – Vision Travel Solutions  

Top Ten Travel Agencies (including two from Canada): Travel Professionals International and The Travel Agent Next Door

National Awards

Top Host Travel Agency – Travel Professionals International

Top Sandals Travel Agency – Travel Professionals International 

Top Beaches Travel Agency – The Travel Agent Next Door  

Regional Awards

Top Sandals Travel Agency  

Atlantic Canada – Travel Time TPI  

Quebec – One Love Honeymoons / CME Travel  

Ontario – Vision Travel Solutions

Western Canada – Escapes.ca/Skyland Travel

Top Beaches Travel Agency  

Atlantic Canada – Kim Hartlen Travel TPI

Quebec – One Love Honeymoons / CME Travel 

Ontario – 510 Travel 

Western Canada – A Mary’s Travel & Tours

Top Club Sandals Travel Agency  

Atlantic Canada – Kim Hartlen Travel TPI

Ontario – LatitudesPlus – Smart Travel   

Western Canada – Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Winnipeg

Top Butler Elite Travel Agency  

Atlantic Canada – Niche Travel  

Quebec – One Love Honeymoons / CME Travel 

Ontario – Flight Centre, Oakville Place   

Western Canada – Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Winnipeg

Best of the Best - Agency Recognition Awards - Canada 

The Travel Agent Next Door

Travel Professionals International

Kim Hartlen Travel/TPI

TravelOnly

Vision Travel Solutions

Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Peterborough

One Love Honeymoons/ CME Travel

LatitudesPlus – Smart Travel  

Red Label Vacations Inc.

Uniglobe Le Centre de Voyages, Dorval

TripCentral.ca, Hamilton

Nexion Canada

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