CLIA Awards A.J. Rick Mazza with Lifetime Achievement, Hall of Fame Induction

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) wrapped up its Cruise360 conference in Fort Lauderdale this week with a Hall of Fame gala that saw TRAVELSAVERS and NEST founder and CEO A.J. Rick Mazza honored with CLIA’s 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame.

Mazza is a living icon in travel, and has been active in the industry for more than 50 years. He helped shape the modern travel industry and has been instrumental in elevating the importance of professional travel advisors. His work helped drive early growth of cruising and packaged tours sales through the advisor sales channel and he helped spearhead the concept of agency networks partnering with cruise lines and other suppliers to market and sell their products.

“Rick Mazza’s induction into the CLIA Hall of Fame honors a career that helped define our industry,” said Charles Sylvia, ECC, vice president of industry and trade relations for CLIA. “His visionary belief in travel advisors, commitment to partnership, and enduring advocacy have made an extraordinary contribution to cruise travel and strengthened the global travel advisor community. We are proud to recognize Rick’s remarkable legacy with this Lifetime Achievement Award.”

“I’m truly humbled and deeply honored to receive this recognition from CLIA,” said Mazza. “Our travel partners and advisors share our passion to grow this incredible industry together and ensure that everybody benefits. Their support, loyalty and friendship over the years have enabled us to build a strong, thriving sales channel of entrepreneurial advisors.”

Opportunity Beyond Air & Hotel

Mazza was a former engineer-turned-successful travel agency owner seeking to exponentially grow his business. From the beginning, he recognized an opportunity to expand what travel advisors sell beyond air and hotel into cruises and packaged tours. In 1970, when he launched TRAVELSAVERS, advisors sold mostly air and hotel. Today travel advisors nationwide sell 67% of cruise bookings and 66% of tour packages.

In 1970, Mazza launched TRAVELSAVERS, a new agency concept and creative business model that effectively organized independent agencies into a marketing group, offering them individualized support and pooling their buying power to compete against large agencies.

This strategic approach, along with close industry relationships, is the core of TRAVELSAVERS’ success. What began with just 55 agencies has grown into a global network of more than 3,000 today.

He believed that each agency should have customized tools to meet their distinct needs. Mazza’s mission then and now is to help agency owners grow with the programs they need to succeed while retaining their brand and voice.

“As a travel agency owner, I learned early on that no single approach can meet every agency’s needs. Each business thrives in its own way,” Mazza told TMR. “That insight inspired the creation of TRAVELSAVERS and NEST, communities that support independent agencies while empowering them to build their own voice and identity, backed by successful programs and services as unique as their businesses.”

A widely respected trailblazer, Mazza also founded the first network of independent home-based agencies – NEST – and The Affluent Traveler Collection to better serve luxury advisors’ individual needs. These three networks, along with 16 sister companies (including Travel Market Report), form American Marketing Group, a portfolio of marketing and sales powerhouses that support the profitability and growth of travel advisors through innovative technology, services, and programs. Today, their 25,000 advisors generate more than $20 billion in annual sales.

Mazza received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Awards & Gala Dinner, which took place Thursday night at the 2026 Cruise360 conference in Fort Lauderdale. The CLIA Lifetime Achievement Award is one of the cruise industry’s most prestigious honors. It is given to individuals for significant contributions, showing extraordinary vision, a passion for cruise, and dedication to clients. The award honors a person’s impact in driving growth and excellence across cruise sales, agency support, and professional development.

Mazza has previously received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Travel Advisors.

TMR asked Mazza what, from his long career, he is most proud of.

“I’m most proud of championing the visibility of travel professionals and helping them become the influential force they are today. TRAVELSAVERS and NEST were founded to ensure independent advisors had the support they needed to succeed in a growing marketplace. Today, these professionals stand at the center of the industry, driving sales for supplier partners. Championing their rise and strengthening their presence has been both an honor and a joy.”

Today Mazza’s legacy is carried on by his children, Jim Mazza, executive vice president and COO of TRAVELSAVERS and president of TRAVEL HELPLINE & agent24; Nicole Mazza, chief marketing officer at American Marketing Group; and Kathryn Mazza-Burney, chief sales officer at TRAVELSAVERS.

Partnerships Still Going Strong

Many partnerships that Mazza forged decades ago with preferred suppliers – often sealed with only a handshake – remain strong today.

“I’m so happy that Rick Mazza is being inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame,” said Shawn Tubman, chief sales officer at Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “I’ve personally known Rick for over 40 years now, and he’s earned every bit of this honor. He’s built a tremendous company with divisions that all support the trade.  He’s smart, fair, big hearted, family oriented and always makes those around him feel special.  His family is amazing, and of course, that’s what Rick is all about.’

“I love that Rick and Lynn have had the most wonderful marriage and just celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on April 11! And, I’ve been able to watch Jim, Nicole, and Katherine grow into the successful and capable executives they are,” Tubman added.

The CLIA Lifetime Achievement Award is given to two individuals every year. One winner is selected from the CLIA North American Travel Trade Membership and one from either a CLIA Global Cruise Line Member or River Marketing Affiliate. The second Lifetime Achievement Award this year went to Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises.