TravelAge West, a leading travel industry publication serving the travel advisor community, made the announcement at its annual WAVE Awards gala on June 13 at The Ritz-Carlton in Marina Del Rey, California.
In addition, Windstar won the award for Best Travel Advisor Support for Small Ship Cruises, a testament to the line’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional support to travel advisors and their clients.
Awarded to exceptional industry leaders by a panel of travel editors, the TravelAge West Excellence in Leadership Award is an annual accolade given to professionals who not only demonstrate outstanding leadership, insight and innovation, but also positively impact both their own organizations and the travel industry overall.
“The award is meant to acknowledge executives who have had a major impact on travel, especially in markets that are important in the West. The editors of TravelAge West chose Chris Prelog, president of Windstar Cruises, because of his outstanding leadership of what has become an iconic brand in the industry," shared Kenneth Shapiro, vice president and publisher/editor-in-chief of TravelAge West.
"Prelog leads with knowledge and passion, focusing on creative innovations that benefit Windstar’s passengers as well as its team members. Under his guidance, Windstar has redefined small-ship cruising, which has become one of the most popular forms of travel for today’s travelers. With a fearless approach that has evolved from his time as a crew member himself, Chris is always ready to push for greater innovation without sacrificing the standards Windstar’s customers — and travel advisors — have come to expect.”
With nearly 30 years in the hospitality and cruise industry, Christopher Prelog began his career on cruise ships as a waiter, working his way up through the ranks. He joined Windstar in 2016 as vice president of fleet operations and was promoted to chief operating officer and later president in 2020.
As a recipient of the TravelAge West Excellence in Leadership Award, Prelog joins an esteemed group of industry leaders who have made significant contributions to the travel sector. This honor serves as a testament to Prelog's outstanding achievements and his ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, and the advancement of the industry.
"I am deeply honored to receive this acknowledgement from industry professionals," said Prelog. "This recognition is a reflection of the hard work and dedication by the entire team at Windstar Cruises and our travel advisor partners. I am grateful for their support and commitment, which has been instrumental in driving our success and exceptional guest experience. I am proud to be part of an industry that continuously evolves and offers transformative experiences for travelers worldwide."
Tags TravelAge West Excellence, Christopher Prelog, indstar Cruises
