The weekend may be a distant memory for some, but for winners at the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs), the glow hasn’t even begun to wear off.

The massive event held in Melbourne on Saturday night attracted hundreds of members of the travel community together to celebrate the best of the best.

Travel Weekly spoke to some of the winners once they had returned to work. But, if we thought the excitement levels would have calmed down by then, then we were wrong.

“We couldn’t be more excited to win this award! There’s so much hard work that goes on behind the scenes and we wouldn’t have done it without our fabulous MTA advisors and our superstar Head Office support team who all contribute to making the MTA family so special.” said Kerryn Taylor, Marketing & Communications Manager for MTA Mobile Travel Agents, who won the Most Outstanding Mobile Advisor Network category.

Michael Mann, sales manager WA/NT, TTC Tour Brands won Most Outstanding sales executive – Land Supply. His response to winning an award on the night was one of the most passionate.

It’s not going anywhere! (Supplied)

“I’m incredibly proud to have accepted the award for most outstanding sales executive – Land at the NTIAs. This award to me is all about purpose and passion because you can always choose to do something you care about. We have such an amazing team at TTC Tour Brands and I would like to thank everyone on team Oceania for all their support!”

And, feedback from his boss suggests it might be time to ask for a raise.

“Mickey has been on an incredible journey with TTC over 12 years, starting out as a guide for Busabout in Greece, Mickey ‘bled orange’ as he significantly grew the busabout brand in AU. After spending the COVID years sharpening his skills outside travel, Mickey returned to TTC and has taken his already revered reputation to new levels, bleeding rainbow now across the TTC Tour Brands, Andrew Young, GM TTC Tour Brands Oceania said.

Stage and Screen won Most Outstanding National Travel Management Company award for the second time.

“Our experienced team is entirely committed to the needs of our customers, and I’d like to dedicate this award to every single one of them, because it’s a testament to their incredible hard work and excellent customer service,” said Stage and Screen general manager Adam Moon.

The team were both on stage and screen on the night.

“We’re always listening and, more importantly, hearing what our customers have to say about how and why their landscape is changing.

“As the travel and entertainment industries evolve, so too does our approach to customer service.

We prioritise productivity, flexibility, technology innovation and relationships, and we never
compromise on our exceptional quality of service.

“At the heart of our business is a genuine connection with our customers, and I’m incredibly proud that our industry and customers have recognised that with this award.”

All right, Mr. Long, I’m ready for my close-up.

Entire Travel Group won Most Outstanding Wholesaler – Product/Service. Its sales and marketing director Greg McCallum told Travel Weekly what the win meant to the team.

“Despite 50 years of history, coming out of the pandemic we were essentially a start-up because we decided to reinvent our company. We invested in technology, product and an expanded range of destinations – along the way introducing our innovative, website, 24×7 book and quote on-line, and pre-designed end-to-end holiday packages.

“Winning the 2023 award reinforces our belief that we are on the right track, and it encourages every member of the Entire Travel Group team to continue pushing to find even better ways to serve travel agents.

“It also enhances our company’s reputation and rapport with our hand-picked collection of outstanding international partners, who provide the magic on the ground. Those trusted suppliers have been – and will continue to be – absolutely vital to our success.”

Nathan McLoughlin, Travel Trade Director at Destination Canada

Julie King, MD, Destination Canada Australia GSA thanked its supporters in the industry for its success on the night in the category of Most Popular Tourism Office.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have won this coveted award for Destination Canada. To be recognised for the level of support we provide to the travel trade is testament to the exceptional commitment and innovative spirit that our team embodies.

“We have worked incredibly hard over the past 15 months to successfully deliver on our strategic vision for the Australian market. This has been achieved through the widespread impact of our popular Canada Specialist Program, multi-platform trade and content campaigns, immersive famils across Canada for travel agents and product managers, and bespoke Canada trade events.

“Supporting, educating and further strengthening relationships with our trade partners will continue as we roll out the transformation strategy for Destination Canada over the coming years,” King said.