Courier Names 2019 Distinguished Dozen

November 7, 2018

MILWAUKEE (Nov. 7, 2018) — Courier, the official magazine of the National Tour Association, announced the winners of its 2019 Distinguished Dozen awards yesterday during a luncheon at NTA’s annual convention, Travel Exchange. NTA tour operators voted for destinations and tour suppliers in 12 categories, and the top vote-getters earned Courier’s gold, silver and bronze awards.

In two rounds of balloting, operators cast votes based on DMO and suppliers’ quality of tour product, level of customer service, value to customers and dedication to relationship building. Winners are featured in the November issue of Courier, and gold recipients will be introduced at a Nov. 6 luncheon in Milwaukee during Travel Exchange, the association’s annual convention.

“This industry is built on relationships,” said Bob Rouse, Courier editor. “And the getting a tour operator’s vote in the Distinguished Dozen program means you’ve been a good partner: responsive to their requests and mindful of their clients. It also means you have something pretty fantastic to offer.”

Here is the 2019 list of Distinguished Dozen winners.

North American DMO Partner (City/Region)
Gold: NYC and Company
Silver: Destination DC
Bronze: Boston CVB

North American DMO Partner (State/Province)
Gold: New York State Division of Tourism
Silver: Travel Oregon
Bronze: Travel Alaska

International DMO Partner
Gold: VisitScotland
Silver: Jordan Tourism Board
Bronze: Mexico Tourism Board

Museum for Groups
Gold: Crazy Horse Memorial
Silver: Newseum
Bronze: Corning Museum of Glass

Theater/Show Venue
Gold: Broadway Inbound – Shubert Organization
Silver: Sight & Sound Theatres
Bronze: Boston Pops Orchestra/Boston Symphony Orchestra

Sightseeing Rail Company
Gold: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Silver: Rocky Mountaineer
Bronze: Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

Big-ship or River Cruise Company
Gold: Norwegian Cruise Line
Silver: Royal Caribbean Cruises
Bronze: Holland America Line

Sightseeing Cruise Company
Gold: Hornblower Cruises & Events
Silver: Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry
Bronze: Entertainment Cruises

Corporate Hotel Chain
Gold: Hilton Hotels & Resorts
Silver: Drury Hotels
Bronze: Best Western Hotels & Resorts

Casino/Gaming Property
Gold: Mohegan Sun
Silver: Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort
Bronze: Tulalip Resort Casino

Independent/Individual or Boutique Hotel Property
Gold: Hotel Zephyr at Fisherman’s Wharf – San Francisco
Silver: Holiday Inn Capitol – Washington, D.C.
Bronze: Apple Farm Inn & Trellis Court – San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Group-friendly Restaurant
Gold: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
Silver: Hard Rock International
Bronze: Golden Corral