Canadian agents shine at Sandals' 17th annual S.T.A.R Awards

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) celebrated the 17^th Annual Sandals Travel Agency Recognition (S.T.A.R.) Awards during a gala ceremony held on November 30^th at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort. 

More than 400 agents from North America, Latin America and the United Kingdom were recognized for their hard work and dedication to the Sandals brand, both during the gala awards ceremony and over the course of the entire four-day event (November 28 – December 2, 2018).

READ MORE: Sandals applauds top-selling agents at exclusive dinner

Learning about new products

During this year’s S.T.A.R Awards, guests learned about the latest resort products and on-island attractions that continue to move the luxury resort brand to new heights including Sandals’ exclusive Love Nest Butler Suites, which offer the utmost in privacy and plush elegance and Luxury Private Transfers for club and butler level guests at select resorts. Agents also enjoyed an exclusive presentation from Marsha-Ann Brown, director of romance on Aisle to Isle destination wedding experience and the opportunity to explore Ocho Rios through popular local tours and attractions, courtesy of Island Routes. Adam Stewart, deputy chairman, Sandals Resorts International hosted a business session for agents which included an address from Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, MP.

Sandals Resorts created the S.T.A.R. Awards in 2002 as a way to recognize top travel agents and their agencies as well as showcase 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 elite performing agents:

• Lois Barbour – Travel Time TPI
• Kim Hartlen – Kim Hartlen Travel TPI

Worldwide Awards

Lifetime Achievement Awards:

Flight Centre Canada

CEO Award of Excellence: 

Heidi Pivnick – Voyages Anne Travel

Top Ten Travel Agencies:

Travel Professionals International

National Awards

Top Host Travel Agency 

Travel Professionals International

Top Call Centre 

Red Tag Vacations

Top Sandals Travel Agency 

Kim Hartlen Travel TPI

Top Beaches Travel Agency 

Polo Travel

Regional Awards

Top Sandals Travel Agency 

• Atlantic Canada – Kim Hartlen Travel TPI
• Quebec – One Love Honeymoons
• Ontario – LatitudesPlus Smart Travel
• Western Canada – Travel Professionals International

Top Beaches Travel Agency 

• Atlantic Canada – The Destination Experts
• Ontario – Polo Travel
• Western Canada – Carlson Wagonlit Travel

Top Club Sandals Travel Agency 

• Atlantic Canada – Niche Travel Group
• Quebec – Cinquieme Saison
• Ontario – Vision Travel Solutions
• Western Canada – Carlson Wagonlit Travel

Top Butler Travel Agency 

• Atlantic Canada – Kim Hartlen Travel TPI
• Quebec – One Love Honeymoons
• Ontario – Voyages Anne Travel
• Western Canada – Travel Professionals International

Best of The Best – Agency Recognition Awards – Canada 

• Carlson Wagonlit Travel
• LatitudesPlus Smart Travel
• RedTag Vacations
• The Travel Agent Next Door Inc.
• TravelOnly
• Travel Professionals International
• Travel Time TPI
• Kim Hartlen Travel TPI
• Vision Travel Solutions
• Aimia Canada

To learn more about how to become a Sandals STAR agent through the exclusive CSS (Certified Sandals Specialist) program, contact your local Sandals Business Development Manager or Inside Sales 1-800-545-8283 or visit https://taportal.sandals.com for additional details.