NTIA winners revealed! Helloworld takes out best agency!
The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) celebrated the industry’s night of nights – the 10th anniversary of the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs) – on Saturday, and boy what a night!
Held at the International Convention Centre Sydney, the 2017 NTIAs also marked 60 years of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), as well as a huge night for agents and industry folk alike, who donned their best ball gowns and suits for one heck of a shindig.
Image: The Star Alliance team at NTIA 2017
Glam gala dinner guests were welcomed by Arrivals Sponsor Greece National Tourism Organisation, with both AFTA Chief Executive Jayson Westbury and major sponsor Qantas’ Domestic CEO Andrew David, welcoming the gathering.
Westbury also paid homage to the 12 exceedingly qualified individuals on the Judging Panel and AFTA Life Member Ian McMahon.
Six lucky guests also scored the Qantas Golden Ticket – which involved return flights to London to experience their new Dreamliner Service.
The Star Alliance network delighted guests with return flights for two to various international destinations thanks to alliance members Air Canada, ANA, Eva Airways, South African Airways, Thai International Airlines, Turkish Airlines and United Airlines.
And being a bit out there, classic Beverage Sponsor, Air New Zealand, brought an NTIA first – a virtual vineyard. Those kooky Kiwis!
Guests were invited to blend their own virtual wine for the chance to win one of six amazing New Zealand Wine experiences to destinations made famous for their world class wine.
In true travel industry style, guests continued the festivities into the wee hours of the morning at the Singapore Airlines After Party, which was held at The Port, the hottest new harbour side venue in Sydney.
Notable winners included Royal Caribbean repping first place for both international and domestic cruise operators, Virgin Australia taking out best domestic airline, Helloworld winning best agency group, and Kingscote Travel SA/NT taking out the People’s Choice awards.
Get amongst the rest of the winners here, and a huge congrats to those who took home gold!
CATEGORY 1 // BEST TRAVEL AGENCY GROUP (50 STORES OR MORE)
Helloworld Travel
CATEGORY 2 // BEST NON BRANDED TRAVEL AGENCY GROUP
Magellan Travel Group
CATEGORY 3 // BEST TRAVEL AGENCY RETAIL | SINGLE LOCATION
FBI Travel
CATEGORY 4 // BEST TRAVEL AGENCY RETAIL | MULTI LOCATION
Phil Hoffmann Travel
CATEGORY 5 // BEST TRAVEL AGENCY CORPORATE | SINGLE LOCATION
Spencer Travel
CATEGORY 6 // BEST TRAVEL AGENCY CORPORATE | MULTI LOCATION
Goldman Travel Corporation
CATEGORY 7 // BEST NATIONAL TRAVEL MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Corporate Travel Management
CATEGORY 9 // BEST ONLINE TRAVEL AGENCY (OTA)
TripADeal www.tripadeal.com.au
CATEGORY 10 // BEST BUSINESS EVENTS TRAVEL AGENCY
The Events Authority
CATEGORY 11 // BEST TRAVEL CONSULTANT | RETAIL
Lena Nielson Flight Centre Sydney International Airport NSW
CATEGORY 12 // BEST TRAVEL CONSULTANT | CORPORATE
Alison Irwin Stage & Screen Travel Services NSW
CATEGORY 13 // BEST TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGER | RETAIL SINGLE LOCATION
Danny Englman FBI Travel VIC
CATEGORY 14 // BEST TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGER | RETAIL MULTI LOCATION
Stuart Ingram Destination HQ VIC
CATEGORY 15 // BEST TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGER | CORPORATE SINGLE LOCATION
Chrie Drummond Corporate Travel Management NSW
CATEGORY 16 // BEST TRAVEL AGENCY MANAGER | CORPORATE MULTI LOCATION
Andre Moten Corporate Travel Management QLD
CATEGORY 17 // YOUNG AGENT OF THE YEAR
Millicent Rusby Carlson Wagonlit Travel SA
CATEGORY 18 // BEST DOMESTIC AIRLINE
Virgin Australia
CATEGORY 19 // BEST INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE | ONLINE
Emirates
CATEGORY 20 // BEST INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE | OFFLINE
Finnair 2017
CATEGORY 21 // BEST CRUISE OPERATOR | DOMESTIC DEPLOYMENT
Royal Caribbean International
CATEGORY 22 // BEST CRUISE OPERATOR | INTERNATIONAL DEPLOYMENT
Royal Caribbean International
CATEGORY 23 // BEST RIVER CRUISE OPERATOR
APT
CATEGORY 24 // BEST TOUR OPERATOR | DOMESTIC
Contiki
CATEGORY 25 // BEST TOUR OPERATOR | INTERNATIONAL
Topdeck Travel
CATEGORY 26 // BEST CAR/CAMPERVAN RENTAL OPERATOR
Hertz
CATEGORY 27 // BEST TOURIST OFFICE | INTERNATIONAL
Tourism New Zealand
CATEGORY 28 // BEST SPECIALTY WHOLESALER
Wendy Wu Tours
CATEGORY 29 // BEST WHOLESALER | AUSTRALIAN PRODUCT
Sunlover Holidays
CATEGORY 30 // BEST WHOLESALER | INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT
Qantas Holidays & Viva Holidays
CATEGORY 31 // BEST AGENCY SUPPORT SERVICE
Cover-More Travel Insurance
CATEGORY 32 // BEST SALES EXECUTIVE | INDUSTRY SUPPLIER
Elizabeth Hutchison Air New Zealand NSW
CATEGORY 33 // YOUNG SALES EXECUTIVE | INDUSTRY SUPPLIER
Stephanie Hu Fantasea NSW
CATEGORY 34 // BEST HOTEL/RESORT GROUP
Shangri La Hotels and Resorts
CATEGORY 35 // BEST REGISTERED TRAVEL INDUSTRY TRAINING INSTITUTION
The Learning Collaborative (Travel Training Australia)
CATEGORY 36 // BEST TRAVEL WRITER | CONSUMER
Julie Miller
CATEGORY 37 // BEST TRAVEL AGENT TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION
Custom Designed Group Management System Travel & Sports Australia
CATEGORY 38 // EMIRATES TRAVEL CONSULTANT SCHOLARSHIP
Stefania Lasek Travel by Design NSW
CATEGORY 39// PEOPLE’S CHOICE | ATAS TRAVEL AGENCY OF THE YEAR
Kingscote Travel SA/NT
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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