Star Alliance celebrates its 21st with HUGE giveaways at NTIAs
Star Alliance just celebrated its 21st birthday!
Unlike us, they didn’t celebrate by trying to see how much cake and champagne they could fit in their mouth at once, but by giving eight lucky attendees at AFTA’s 2018 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) some fantastic trips to Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas!
To win the coveted prizes – created by bringing together Star Alliance airlines and members of the Council of Australian Tour Operators – all guests needed to do was peel open their now legendary Star Alliance-themed napkin holders and cross their fingers.
In the end, the stars were truly aligned for:
- Apurva Goswami, Excite Holidays – winner of flights for two to Phuket and a seven-night Thai islands cruise on Panorama II, courtesy of Thai Airways and Peregrine Adventures
- Kerrie Mieszkuc, The Journeymasters – off on an Air China trip for two to Beijing for a nine-day ‘Great Wall and Warriors’ excursion with On the Go Tours, taking in Xi’an, Shanghai and Suzhou
- Jodie Pellegrino, Helloworld Wangaratta – heading to Vancouver with Air Canada for a 19-day Cosmos adventure that includes a voyage on-board the Rocky Mountaineer and a seven night cruise to Alaska
- Rebecca Livingstone, Keith Prowse Travel Brisbane – now planning a United Airlines trip for two to Mexico for five nights at Club Med Cancún Yucatán at the tip of the iconic Riviera Maya
- Mohammad Nasiry, Express Travel Group – who will fly with EVA Air to his choice of destination in Asia, where he will have $1000 worth of luxury accommodation and tours to spend courtesy of the Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP)
- Daniel Walker, Sno’n’Ski – soon to fly South African Airways to South Africa for a 15-day Grand Tour from Bench Africa that includes game viewing in Kruger National Park and visits to Swaziland, Zululand and Cape Town
- Brian Taylor, Greece and Mediterranean Travel Centre – who took home a trip for two with Air New Zealand to Chicago for an eight-day Globus tour of the Great Lakes
- Vanessa Richards, Excite Holidays – who is heading for to Zurich with Singapore Airline and the Lufthansa Group for a seven-day Insight Vacations ‘Magical Switzerland’ tour taking in Lake Geneva, Zermatt and a voyage on the famous Glacier Express.
For the fourth consecutive year, Star Alliance also sponsored the Best Non-Branded Travel Agency Group category at NTIA, won this year by Helloworld Business Travel.
Star Alliance Country Steering Committee Vice Chair Jum Mu said it was only fitting that Star Alliance sponsored an award celebrating the achievements of an outstanding travel network.
“Since it was launched in 1997 Star Alliance has brought together the world’s leading airlines, each with their own distinctive culture and style of service, to create an unrivalled network dedicated to improving the experience of international travellers,” said Mu.
“Helloworld Business Travel has demonstrated it is just as committed to delivering excellent service and support to its members and their clients. Congratulations on a well-deserved honour.”
Latest News
Holland America 2026-27 ANZ and Asia cruises now open for booking
Holland America Line’s 2026-2027 Australia, New Zealand and Asia cruises are now open for booking with itineraries including four Legendary Voyages showcasing the premium cruise line’s expertise in longer, destination-rich cruises. Ranging from 13 to 35 days, the carefully crafted routes enable guests to authentically experience some of the globe’s most sought after destinations. From […]
Virgin Australia launches network-wide sale with fares from $49
If your New Year resolution is to travel more, then now here is your chance.
‘A seafood mecca’ – New York Times lists Sydney as the 10th best place to visit in 2025
To clarify, the mecca in this title refers not to the Islamic holy city nor the Australian beauty store.
Disney doubles down with new class and addition of a fourth Wish ship
Disney will hit a lucky 13 ships by 2031 and some can run on hydrotreated vegetable oil, maybe from all those fries.
Qatar Airways celebrates Australian Open hosting Dinner with Novak Djokovic
We are sure that the meals were delicious, and there was nothing Novak thought suspicious.
Work hard, play harder! Flight Centre reveals Queensland’s bleisure boom
Poolside bar in Cairns? We look forward to heading up to Travel Daze again this May.
Princess Cruises’ two ships meet in Sydney Harbour in historic first
We hope these siblings didn't fight over who got to dock at OPT first.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor welcomes Channy Chhoeun for a new exhibition
Chhoeun turned from hunter to game painter, a transition that benefits all involved.
LA Fires Update: 2028 Summer Olympics threatened, LAX unimpacted
Horrendous headlines continuing to come out of LA. Thoughts with those impacted.
Seabourn ‘Sail of the Year’ offers up to 15 per cent savings, plus cruise credits
A month away from the everyday chores, plus a few must-see Asian destinations has us hooked already.
Crystal celebrates 35 years at sea with cruise highlights
With the Nobu brand onboard for these special cruises, it's just another reason to buy a pair of elastic-waisted pants.
TV cook Poh Ling Yeow unveiled as NT’s newest ambassador
While she ate her way around the NT, we feel the KFC stop was probably one tucker too far.
APT reveals rebrand for Luxury Travel arm with new look and new monogram
APT Travel Group, Australia’s largest family-owned tour and cruise company, has unveiled a transformative rebrand for APT Luxury Travel, introducing a new era with a fresh, contemporary new look. At the heart of the rebrand is a newly designed luxury monogram, replacing the company’s old logo. APT said the elegant, bespoke symbol represents the legacy […]
Brand USA Trade Expo returns to Auckland and Wellington
Brand USA, the destination marketing organisation for the US, has announced the return of its New Zealand Trade Expos in partnership with Air New Zealand and United Airlines. Registrations are now open and are free for travel agents. Last year’s event sold out quickly, so agents are encouraged to register early to secure their place […]
Just 5 days left to enter Brand USA’s Sports Odyssey Road Trip Incentive
It appears that journalists can't enter this one and we are very sad about that because this looks great!
Skyscanner says Australian’s are turning to travel to boost morale
Forget affirmations, travel is the new way to boost morale!
Webjet: Demand for last-minute domestic getaways is booming, but where is everyone going?
Basically, people came back to work and then decided they were happier being away. What's new?
Outcry as Spirit of Tasmania IV is scheduled to remain in Scotland for another month
Oh dear...This situation will make you feel a lot less bad about any work errors you have made.
22-year-old dies after tragic elephant bathing accident in Thailand
Tragic and shocking circumstances for all involved.
Tauck celebrates 100th birthday with $2000 agent bonus scheme
Some people expect to receive presents for their 100th birthday, but Tauck is bucking the trend by giving them away.
WATCH: SeaLink unveils virtual fly through tour of two brand new Kangaroo Island ferries
If they have a quiet day, maybe they can send these ferries over to Tassie to help them out.
ANZCRO kicks off 2025 with agent-focused website revamp
Website revamps: great for the customer, often very painful for those actually doing the updates.
Happy moo year! VisitScotland brings in Julie the cow for winter campaign
Rumour has it, Julie was scouted by the same modelling agency who discovered Kate Moss and Gigi Hadid.
YHA Australia completes $9.7 million East Coast refurb with focus on community
This community sounds better than the time we stayed in a Byron Bay hostel and had to drink box wine with 20-year-olds.
Like beer? Don’t let summer pass you by before walking the Inner West Ale Trail
Cracking fun rain, hail or shine. That means this weekend is still on the cards.
Emirates set to become the world’s first Autism Certified Airline
Good news to start off the year. We wonder if more airlines will follow.
Melbourne conferences to hit new culinary heights as MCEC unveils brand new 2025 menu
After seeing pasta in a cheese wheel go viral, we knew we needed to try it... Looks like we need to get to the MCEC.
Unforgettable Croatia agent famil prize you simply cannot miss
This sure looks a little different to our Croatia sailing experience at 19. There's not a carafe of Margherita in site.
One for the surfers! Hawaiian Airlines to accept sports equipment as standard baggage
Great news for wax-heads, now they just have to worry about the huge Hawaiian waves...
Travel Beyond Group hires Michelle Sargant and Mary Reale
We are only 4 days into the year, and the people moves are coming thick and fast.
Fiji Airways celebrates arrival of new ATR planes to boost regional and South Pacific networks
Fiji Airways is on its way to domination in the Pacific... We're going to need another NRL team!
Learn the Indigenous history of the Byron Bay Lighthouse with Delta Kay’s new walking tour
A press release says guests require, 'moderate fitness and a sense of adventure'. They clearly don't want stragglers.
How much does it cost to spend 188 days at sea? Azamara Cruises launches 2027 world cruise
With rent in Sydney on the up, this might actually be the cheaper option.
Niyama Private Islands Maldives launches a new fine dining menu 6 metres below the surface
Yum. Now you can wave to your Bass before you eat it.
AirAsia returns to the Northern Territory for the first time since 2018
This looks like a gamechanger for people in the NT after an Asian getaway!
CLIA to showcase this year’s hot new ships at online agent event
Keen to see what the latest updates in cruising are? You won't want to miss this.