A.J. RICK MAZZA HONORED WITH CLIA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

OYSTER BAY, NY (April 24, 2026): TRAVELSAVERS and NEST Founder and CEO A.J. Rick Mazza has received the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award from Cruise Lines International Association and been inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame.

 

A tireless champion of travel advisors over more than half a century, Mazza helped shape the modern travel industry and elevated the importance of agency professionals. He was instrumental in driving early growth of cruising and tours through the advisor sales channel as well as the resulting explosion of travel product. Mazza spearheaded the concept of agency networks partnering with cruise lines and other travel experiences to market and sell their product.

 

“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.”

 

Mazza was a former engineer-turned-successful travel agency owner seeking to exponentially grow his business. 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.

 

In 1970, the visionary entrepreneur launched TRAVELSAVERS, representing a bold concept and creative business model. Mazza 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 thriving global network of more than 3,000 today.

 

Many partnerships that Mazza forged decades ago with preferred suppliers – often sealed with only a handshake – remain strong today. He developed programs that delivered meaningful value to advisors, suppliers, and consumers and strengthened the entire travel ecosystem. Mazza also created inventive marketing campaigns with major brands, including Wheel of Fortune, NFL Hall of Famers and AMC Theatres.

 

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, form 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 April 23 at the CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Awards & Gala Dinner, which took place at the 2026 Cruise360 conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 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 received numerous accolades throughout his distinguished career for his accomplishments and dedication to the travel industry. Those include a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Travel Advisors.