The Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) has honored the best-selling Saint Lucia travel advisors in the world, following the hosting of the 2022 Global Piton Awards for the top-producing Saint Lucia Expert Travel Advisors from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Caribbean.
From VIP arrival services to custom experiences including the Luxe Lucian Lime, the Gros-Islet Street Party, and a cocktail reception at the Prime Minister’s official residence, the Advisors were celebrated with an immersive weekend from November 10 through 14.
The weekend culminated with an award ceremony at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, where the top 35 winners were honored for their contributions to Saint Lucia’s tourism in a regenerative period. The 2022 Global Piton Awards were bestowed upon travel advisors who booked the most room nights from July 1, 2019, through December 31, 2021, through the Saint Lucia Expert (SLEx) Program created in partnership with Recommend magazine.
15 winners are from the United States, 5 from Canada, and 10 from the United Kingdom and Ireland. The Caribbean market joined the global mix honoring 5 Travel Professionals for the first time. They all received the exclusive “Mark insignia” of Saint Lucia along with a locally handcrafted trophy.
“At a time when the world looked to tourism as the main economic driver, our Travel Advisors and carriers placed special confidence in Saint Lucia. A major part of our success and global prominence is attributed to their continued selling of our island’s offerings. They undoubtedly remain the pulse of our industry and we are delighted to express our appreciation.” Remarked Lorine Charles St. Jules, Chief Executive Officer of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority.
Trish Hockin of Tropic Breeze received the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Sales for the top-selling Tour Operator in the UK & Europe. Receiving the Minister of Tourism Award for exceptional sales performance in the UK & Ireland is Independent Travel Agent Sheila Sparkes of Holidaysplease. The pinnacle of sales excellence was achieved by Nancy Finn (pictured above) of My Island Getaways who was bestowed with the Prime Minister’s Award for Exceptional Sales Performance in North America & the Caribbean.
U.S. WINNERS
1 Andrea Williams Exquisite Vacations
2 Nancy Finn My Island Getaways
3 Lynn Thomas Alpha World Travel
4 Sally Jane Smith TravelSmiths
5 Mark Hennigan Dreamers Travel
6 Kerri Logan Escapes Unlimited AZ
7 Veronica Kastukevich Custom Travel
8 Steve Simmons Honeymoons inc.
9 Scott Jones EZ Travel Pad
10 Kim Goldstein Journeys Travel
11 Christen Perry Classic Travel Connection
12 Linda Dancer Honeymoons inc.
13 Mitch Toren Trip Guy
14 Heather DiPietro Travel Sales Group
15 Jennifer Doncsecz Vip Travel Inc.
CANADIAN WINNERS
1 Sharon Boissonneault House of Travel
2 Lois Barbour Travel Time- TPI
3 Alexandra Maloney Glenny Travel
4 Kim Hartlen Kim Hartlen Travel -TPI
5 Pauline Denise Blacoe Shine Travel
U.K. WINNERS
1 Trish Hockin Tropic Breeze
2 Lindsey Hayes BA Holidays
3 Darren Liddle BA Holidays
4 John Longstaff BA Holidays
5 Lucy Case BA Holidays
6 Sheila Sparkes Holidaysplease
7 Lisa Drake Hays Travel
8 Paul Salisbury Guru Travel Group
9 Gilly Bachelor Not Just Travel
10 Gaynor Davies Chester Travel Connection
Caribbean Winners
1 Andy Hill Lazzari & Sampson Ltd – TT
2 Laura Baldeosingh Amral’s Travel Service (2002) Limited -TT
3 Xiamara Weir The Indar Weir Travel Centre – Barbados
4 Stephanie Nosibor AVS VOYAGES – Martinique
5 Martine Clerme Sunny Voyages- Guadeloupe