Travel industry celebrates winners at NTIAs
Described as "the biggest and best yet", the 2013 National Travel Industry Awards took place at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion attended by more than 1200 guests.
A surprise performance by Australian pop starlet Jessican Mauboy kicked off the festivities which saw 33 winners head home triumphant, or celebrate their success on the dance floor.
Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) chief executive Jayson Westbury branded the significant scale of the event "a true testament to tje growing strength of the Australian travel industry"
"There was an incredibly high standard across all nominees, and the selection of finalists and winners really attested to that," he said.
"I would like to congratulate all the finalists and everyone involved in making the event such a huge success."
Westbury paid tribute to dynamism of the industry as a whole which he said is "powering forward" as travel professionals adapt to the changing landscape.
A spectacular performance by Aerial Artistry ended the performance program and guests headed to the nearby Hi-Fi venue to continue celebrations at the after party.
See below for a full list of winners:
Rookie of the Year Agent – Nicholas Lowes, Jetset Norwood
Best Travel Consultant Retail – Jenny Cooper, Queanbeyan City Travel & Cruise
Best Travel Agency Manager Retail – Michelle Nievaart, Flight Centre Garden City
Best Travel Agency Retail Single Location – Harvey World Travel Lane Cove
Best Travel Agency Retail Multi Location – Phil Hoffmann Travel
Best Travel Consultant Corporate – Fiona Hyde, Voyager Travel
Best Travel Agency Manager Corporate – Shelley Leven, Corporate Travel Management
Best Travel Agency Corporate Single Location – Spencer Travel
Best Travel Agency Corporate Multi Location – Corporate Traveller
Best Business Events Travel Agency – Event Travel Management
Best National Travel Management Company – Corporate Travel Management
Best Travel Agent Technology Innovation – Smart Tickets online revalidation and reissue
Best Travel Writer – Louise Goldsbury
Best Registered Travel Industry Training Institution – William Angliss Institute of TAFE
Best Hotel/Resort Australian Property – Palazzo Versace
Best Hotel/Resort Group – Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
Rookie of the Year Supplier – Stephen Galloni, Contiki
Best Sales Executive Industry Supplier – Suzy McPhail, Trafalgar
Best Agency Support Service – Air Tickets
Best Tourist Office National – Tourism and Events Queensland
Best Tourist Office International – Dubai Tourism
Best International Airline Off-Line – Finnair
Best International Airline On-Line – Emirates
Best Domestic Airline – Qantas Airways
Best Car/Campervan Rental Operator – Hertz
Best Niche Wholesaler – The Africa Safari Co
Best Tour Operator Domestic – APT
Best Tour Operator International – Trafalgar
Best Wholesaler Australian Product – Qantas Holidays and Viva! Holidays
Best Wholesaler International Product – Infinity
Best Cruise Operator Australian Based Operation – Royal Caribbean International
Best Cruise Operator International Based Operation – APT
Best Travel Agency Group (100 outlets or more) – Flight Centre
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