Stephen Smith, senior vice president – leisure strategy & marketing for Direct Travel, is pleased to announce that 17 of the company’s travel advisors across North America have been named Virtuoso Cruise Icons.

“To have such a large number of our advisors named to the list is a tribute to their fluency in luxury travel and impressive expertise in providing the high-end traveller with rich experiences,” he added.

As Cruise Icons, the advisors enjoy global recognition as top performers; exclusive opportunities to network and collaborate with like-minded professionals; and priority access to training, events and resources.

Celebrating her fifth consecutive year as a Virtuoso Cruise Icon, Sandra Keeso-Hall of Direct Travel’s Georgetown, Ont., office is thrilled with the award. “A huge thank you to my incredible clients and valued Virtuoso partners.  Here’s to another year of unforgettable luxury travel!”

Only 1 percent of Virtuoso advisors are named Cruise Icons, Direct Travel’s Joelle Goldman explains. A member of Virtuoso’s US Advisory Board, Goldman is vice president of Direct Travel’s host services and luxury hotel programs. “These top sellers also enjoy stellar access to preferred relationships with the cruise lines.”

Toronto-based Direct Travel advisor Gerry Koolhof is celebrating his second consecutive year as a Cruise Icon and reports that he’s truly humbled to receive the recognition. “I am honoured to be part of our amazing Virtuoso Team, creating life-time memories for my clients.”

Smith also reports that Direct Travel was recently named Top Cruise Producer at Virtuoso’s U.S. forum. Recently elected to Virtuoso’s Global Member Advisory Board, he adds: “It’s clear that cruising is enjoying a huge surge of popularity, and we are very proud to deliver the counselling and expertise our clients value.”

Other Canadian Cruise Icons are: Rose Coleman, Erika Gal, Sheila Gallant-Halloran, Shawn Kilner, Grace Markus, Magda Newman, Sue Pechtel, Alan Szeto and Barbara Trotter.