The International Cruise Council Australasia is urging travel agents to enjoy some self-promotion, with submissions now open for the 2012 Cruise Industry Awards for the best cruise promotions of the year.

Three awards are available - the 2012 Agency Promotion of the Year in Australia and New Zealand and the 2012 Network Promotion of the Year Australasia - with travel agents invited to submit their entries by December 21.

Council General Manager Brett Jardine said while the 2012 Cruise Industry Awards would cover 15 awards across seven different categories, the promotional awards were the only ones for which agents could self-nominate.

“This is a great way for agents to celebrate their creativity and let their clients know that their ideas have been recognised by the industry,” Mr Jardine said.

The Network Promotion of the Year Australasia award is open to multiple outlets involved in one promotion and has been sponsored by InPlace Recruitment.

Meanwhile, the Agency Promotion of the Year award is for single store promotions. Vacations & Travel magazine has sponsored the Australian award, while APT is sponsoring the New Zealand award.

The 2012 Cruise Industry Awards will be held at the Hilton Sydney on Saturday February 9, 2013, with Emirates the Gold Sponsor for the evening event.

Nomination forms for awards can be downloaded from the Cruise Council’s website www.cruising.org.au.  Bookings for the awards night can also be made via the website.