At Cruise Elite, we pride ourselves in doing far more than booking your cruise or other travel plans. We go above and beyond for our clients, providing comprehensive travel services from selecting travel dates to helping you get last-minute visas or working on getting travel refunds if a personal emergency arises. In August 2019, we were thrilled to see our commitment to exceptional service recognized when our owner and Vice President, Marisel Aleman, received the title of ASTA Travel Advisor of the Year. To learn more about this prestigious award, keep reading.
What Is the ASTA?
The ASTA, or American Society of Travel Advisors, is an association formed to represent the interests of travel intermediaries, such as tour providers and travel agencies. They are the leading global advocate for the travel industry, and are recognized as a symbol of integrity and professionalism. When looking for a travel provider, seeing the ASTA logo on the provider’s sight lets you know that the travel agency you’re looking at is a member of an elite group of travel industry professionals.
Travel Advisor of the Year
Every year, the ASTA holds a convention recognizing the top professionals in the travel industry. This not only includes travel agencies and tour providers, but also suppliers, partners, and more. Of all the awards given at this annual conference, the title of Travel Advisor of the Year is among the most prestigious. Because the ASTA is primarily comprised of travel agencies and advisors, the competition for this award is fierce.
The ASTA Travel Advisor of the Year is someone who does more than just book travel. They provide in-depth knowledge of the travel industry to their clients, including the best times to book, preferred destinations, tips for a stress-free trip, and more. They also provide a wide array of resources for their clients’ benefit to ensure that their customers have a flawless and memorable vacation. To receive this award, a travel advisor must provide exceptional service that goes beyond the normal course of business, and they must have done so in a new and creative way.
As you can see, the requirements to become the Travel Advisor of the Year are tough, and even being considered for the award is a sign that a travel agent goes above and beyond the call of duty on a daily basis. To actually win this title is an honor that recognizes Marisel Aleman as one of the best travel advisors in her industry.
More about Marisel
The title of Travel Advisor of the Year is not Marisel’s first recognition as an exceptional representative of the travel industry. She has also received the Reader’s Choice award for her outstanding service and expertise, and is a CLIA Master Cruise Counselor. She was also selected to serve on the Inside Sales Travel Agent Advisory Board for Royal Caribbean International—and honorary position given to only 20 out of 15,000 national agents.
Like all of our seasoned travel agents at Cruise Elite, Marisel is herself a world traveler. Her years of traveling and cruising around the world gives her a depth of knowledge that most travel agents can only aspire to. She knows firsthand how exciting and joy-filled traveling can be, and does all she can to ensure every client she serves has exactly the kind of travel experience she would want for herself—and that’s what makes her one of the best in the industry.
Our Other Awards and Recognitions
Marisel’s title of ASTA Travel Advisor of the Year is a recognition that everyone here at Cruise Elite is proud of. Of course, as mentioned earlier, it’s not the first time Marisel’s been honored for her work in the travel industry, and it’s not the first time Cruise Elite has enjoyed such recognition either. Here’s a brief list of some of the other awards and recognitions our business and crew members have received:
- Daytona Beach Area’s Best Travel Agency Reader’s Award (every year since 2012)
- Celebrity Five-Star Certified Travel Planners and Partners
- Crown & Anchor Diamond Plus Member with Royal Caribbean
- Celebrity Cruise Line Elite Member
- Certified Sandals Specialist
- Platinum Status with Princess Cruises
But beyond the awards, certifications, and accolades, Marisel and every other member of our crew are themselves seasoned travelers—and that’s precisely why we’re “The Seasoned Traveler’s Choice.” If you’re looking for exceptional service from a team of knowledgeable agents that have traveled the world, contact Cruise Elite. Our crew—including the ASTA’s Travel Advisor of the Year—are waiting to assist you.
