Flight Centre scoops up at World Travel Awards
The 24th annual World Travel Awards were held in China over the weekend, and Aussie agency Flight Centre took two particularly special crowns.
Often described as the Oscars of the tourism industry, the Awards are acknowledged across the globe as the ultimate travel accolade.
Voted on by travel and tourism professionals worldwide, these awards aim to celebrate organisations that push the boundaries of industry excellence.
Flight Centre managed to scoop the title of Leading Travel Agency 2017 – not just for Australia, but the entire Australasia region.
The agency network won the title of Australasia’s Leading Travel Agency consecutively since 2011, as well as being nominated for the same category in Singapore for the past two years, and the World since 2011 as well.
Following its win for Australia’s top corporate brand, Air New Zealand won the accolade of Leading Airline & Airline Brand, Australasia.
Meanwhile, a number of other Australian retailers and hotel groups took out gongs in both national and Australasian regions.
Check out the rest of the winners here:
Australia
Australia’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2017: Emporium Hotel
Australia’s Leading Business Hotel 2017: Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Australia’s Leading Car Rental Company 2017: Sixt
Australia’s Leading Hotel 2017: InterContinental Sydney
Australia’s Leading Hotel Residences 2017: Hilton Surfers Paradise Residences
Australia’s Leading Hotel Suite 2017: Presidential Suite @ Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort & Spa
Australia’s Leading Lodge 2017: Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef
Australia’s Leading Resort 2017: One&Only Hayman Island, Great Barrier Reef
Australia’s Leading Travel Agency 2017: Flight Centre
Australasia
Australasia’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator 2017: Sigatoka River Safari
Australasia’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination 2017: New Zealand
Australasia’s Leading Airline 2017: Air New Zealand
Australasia’s Leading Airline Brand 2017: Air New Zealand
Australasia’s Leading Airport 2017: Auckland Airport, New Zealand
Australasia’s Leading Airport Hotel 2017: Pullman Sydney Airport, Australia
Australasia’s Leading Airport Lounge 2017: Etihad Airways Premium Lounge @ Melbourne Airport
Australasia’s Leading Beach Resort 2017: Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort & Spa
Australasia’s Leading Boutique Hotel 2017: Gaia Retreat & Spa, Australia
Australasia’s Leading Boutique Island Resort 2017: Taveuni Palms Resort, Fiji
Australasia’s Leading Boutique Resort 2017: Pacific Resort Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Australasia’s Leading Business Car Rental Company 2017: Hertz
Australasia’s Leading Business Hotel 2017: InterContinental Sydney, Australia
Australasia’s Leading Car Rental Company 2017: Europcar
Australasia’s Leading Casino Resort 2017: SKY CITY Auckland, New Zealand
Australasia’s Leading Conference Hotel 2017: InterContinental Wellington, New Zealand
Australasia’s Leading Cruise Line 2017: Royal Caribbean International
Australasia’s Leading Destination 2017: Yasawa Islands, Fiji
Australasia’s Leading Executive Club Lounge 2017: Club InterContinental @ InterContinental Sydney, Australia
Australasia’s Leading Experiential Luxury Property 2017: Annandale, New Zealand
Australasia’s Leading Family Resort 2017: Pacific Resort Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Australasia’s Leading Green Hotel 2017: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, French Polynesia
Australasia’s Leading Hotel 2017: Pullman Sydney Hyde Park, Australia
Australasia’s Leading Hotel Booking Solutions Provider 2017: JETMAX
Australasia’s Leading Hotel Brand 2017: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
Australasia’s Leading Hotel Suite 2017: Imperial Suite @ Palazzo Versace, Australia
Australasia’s Leading Inflight Magazine 2017: FijiTime (Fiji Airways)
Australasia’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa 2017: The Residence @ The George Christchurch, New Zealand
Australasia’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre 2017: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia
Australasia’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination 2017: Auckland, New Zealand
Australasia’s Leading New Hotel 2017: Hulbert House, New Zealand
Australasia’s Leading Private Island Resort 2017: Laucala Island, Fiji
Australasia’s Leading Resort 2017: InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Fiji
Australasia’s Leading Serviced Apartment Brand 2017: Frasers Hospitality
Australasia’s Leading Serviced Apartments 2017: Fraser Suites Sydney, Australia
Australasia’s Leading Tour Operator 2017: Abercrombie & Kent
Australasia’s Leading Tourist Board 2017: Tourism New Zealand
Australasia’s Leading Travel Agency 2017: Flight Centre
Australasia’s Leading Travel Management Company 2017: FCM Travel Solutions
Australasia’s Leading Villa Resort 2017: Eagles Nest, New Zealand
Australasia’s Most Romantic Resort 2017: The Remote Resort, Fiji Islands
Australasia’s Responsible Tourism Award 2017: Whale Watch Kaikoura
Latest News
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
Bonza’s future on knife edge
It would seem a long road back from here, perhaps a knife's edge is too much credit.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.
Amora Hotels & Resorts set to double APAC portfolio, announces new Sydney office
Staff in the new Sydney office have been welcomed by a week of rain on the forecast.
RIU opens Chicago hotel and rooftop bar a few steps from the world-famous Magnificent Mile
Rooftop cocktails hold a dear place in your heart? Look no further than RIU Chicago.
How can travel agents best sell cruises? Uniworld’s Alice Ager tells all: Travel Weekly TV
Agents, you don't want to miss this. Yes, that's the case with everything in the newsletter, but we really mean it here!
South Africa bookings are back in action
It's a wrap! South Africa in the news with resumed flights, film fest and booking tech.
Agents’ chance to score free spot on Intrepid trip to Antarctica
This is the trip of a lifetime, even if you are scared of the cold!
Bonza nosediving amid mass cancellations and reports of repossessed planes
Bonza's days appear to be numbered as the low-cost carrier today announced mass cancellations around the country.
Amy Poehler joins Vivid Sydney event
Oh Joy! Hit comedian Amy Poehler will make an emotional appearance at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid.
Pullman Sydney Penrith ties up with Trilogy Hotels, announces new GM
The crew from Trilogy hotels doing their best impression of the Penrith front row here.
Linkd appoints Carolyn Nightingale and Lawson Dibb to new roles
Linkd Tourism sings praises of Carolyn Nightingale and dubs Lawson Dibb as Kyushu Tourism Office guru.