
Sandals Resorts International (SRI) celebrated and honoured top travel agents at the 18th 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
Don't miss a single travel story: subscribe to PAX today!