Drew Daly Honored with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Hall of Fame 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award

By: Dream Vacations / CruiseOne | 0 Shares 135 Reads

April 30, 2025 // Franchising.com // Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — Drew Daly has been honored with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition celebrates Daly’s nearly 30-year legacy of leadership, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to empowering travel advisors and inspiring his teams.

Daly’s journey in travel began in 1995 when he joined National Leisure Group—now World Travel Holdings. He started as a travel advisor after graduating college, it quickly became clear that this was more than a job for him, it was a long-term career, and he had found his calling. Over the years, Daly has made an indelible mark across many corners of the travel industry—from launching one of the earliest virtual call centers before remote work was mainstream, to helping entrepreneurs launch successful businesses through Dream Vacations.

“Drew has been a driving force in the travel industry for three decades, and I’ve had the honor of working side-by-side with him for many of those years,” said Debbie Fiorino, chief operating officer of Dream Vacations. “What makes Drew so special is that he leads with both heart and vision. He doesn’t just talk about caring about it, every single day, in every interaction. His ability to connect with people, to inspire, to innovate, and to champion travel advisors is unmatched. This honor is so well-deserved, and I couldn’t be prouder to see him recognized.”

In 2009, Daly transitioned into the franchise and host side of the business, where his passion for mentorship and advisor development took center stage. Today, he leads a variety of business functions including training, sales, marketing, recruitment, business development, events, and more. Under his leadership, Dream Vacations has cultivated a culture of inclusion, innovation, and FUN—something Daly quite literally wrote the book on. His award-winning 2018 book Selling Fun has become a staple resource for travel professionals.

Beyond business growth, Daly’s heart for service shines brightly. He’s rappelled buildings for Gilda’s Club, hammered nails for Habitat for Humanity, and led fundraising initiatives that have raised nearly $2 million for Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida since 2011. His signature energy and ability to inspire collective action are on full display each year during National Conference, where he helps rally advisors around giving back.

In 2019, Daly stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Oprah Winfrey as a guest speaker at the christening of Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam. During the pandemic, he represented the travel advisor community before the U.S. Senate to advocate for the safe return of cruising. A two-term Chair of CLIA’s STARBoard, he continues to serve on numerous supplier advisory boards and nonprofit boards, including The Travel Institute and PATH.

“I’m incredibly honored and humbled by this recognition,” said Drew Daly. “I’ve been fortunate to work alongside some of the most passionate, hardworking, and inspiring people in the world of travel. This award is a reflection of all the teams, advisors, supplier partners and mentors who have made this journey so meaningful. I truly believe that when we lead with kindness, stay curious, and support one another, we can do incredible things—and have a whole lot of fun doing it.”

Known affectionately as the “Selfie King,” Daly is never without a smile—or a camera. He’s the kind of leader who remembers names, celebrates wins big and small, and always finds time to strike up a conversation. Whether he’s encouraging someone’s next big idea or leading a themed dance party at an industry event, Drew’s warmth and authenticity are unmatched.

CLIA’s Lifetime Achievement Award is a fitting tribute to a professional who has helped shape the travel industry with both head and heart. Through his leadership, advocacy, and relentless enthusiasm, Drew Daly has built more than a career—he’s built a legacy.

SOURCE Dream Vacations

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