Who’s who! Individual finalists in the NTIAs revealed!

Australian Federation Of Travel Agents (AFTA) - The National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA)
October 15, 2022: ICC Sydney: International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Credit: Mikulas J / Event Photos Australia
Edited by Travel Weekly


The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has revealed the list of finalists in Individual Categories (#1 – 8) for this year’s National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs).

This follows the announcement of the finalists for the Industry Voted Categories (#21 – 31) on Tuesday.

Over the past few weeks, nominees for the 2023 NTIA Individual Categories have undergone submission assessment by university-level independent assessors.

ATIA said it would like to acknowledge the high calibre of submissions received this year. In general the top 5 nominees have proceeded to the finalist stage, based on overall score from the Assessors. In some categories where there have been tied scores, up to 9 finalists have been announced.

The finalists for the business categories will be announced next week.

The 2023 NTIAs will be held on the 18th November at Crown Melbourne, and are supported by major sponsor Singapore Airlines, with the afterparty sponsored by Viking.

The NTIA festivities will kick off the night before on Friday 17th November, with a networking function open to all at the InterContinental Melbourne. NTIA finalists will have the opportunity to join us afterwards from an exclusive finalist’s event at Holey Moley Melbourne CBD, a chance to celebrate excellence within the industry.

ATIA noted that due to the standard of submissions for the 2nd category, Travel Agency Manager, they have taken longer to score. The finalists for this category will be announced on Monday 9 October.

Find the list below:

Category 1 – Most Outstanding Mobile / Home Based Travel Advisor

  • Ally Casey Greville, TravelManagers Australia
  • Carly Retallack, TravelManagers Australia
  • Maria Piliouras, TravelManagers Australia
  • Melanie Whyte, TravelManagers Devonport
  • Rachel Cleary, Luxe Adventures – MTA travel
  • Rose Febo, TravelManagers Australia
  • Wendy Brockbank, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents

Category 2 – Most Outstanding Travel Agency Manager

To be announced

Category 3 – Most Outstanding Travel Consultant Corporate

  • Bec McIntyre, TAG Travel Group
  • Kristy Moore, Travel Moore
  • Lauren Zischke, TAG Travel Group
  • Leanne Ralston, Spencer Travel
  • Lee Haigh, Corporate Travel Management – CTM
  • Paloma Santos, CWT

Category 4 – Most Outstanding Travel Consultant Leisure

  • Amanda Taylor, Ignite Travel
  • Cherie Manson, Helloworld Travel Albury
  • Cindy Holsken, Travel by Wyndham
  • Emma Smith, Back Track Adventures
  • Karen Tink, Flight Centre
  • Louis Teng, Travel Associates
  • Martine Littlestone, Ignite Travel Group
  • Rachana Chitre, Saara Holidays
  • Scott Mcglynn, Helloworld Travel Winston Hills

Category 5 – Rookie of the Year

  • Cherie Manson, Helloworld Travel Albury
  • David O’Shea, RAA Travel
  • Georgia Walk, Helloworld Travel Mackay
  • Jarrod Sinclair, InsideJapan Tours
  • Kyle Single, CTM
  • Rachael McSorley, Global Journeys

Category 6 – Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Air

  • Anthony De Silva, Emirates
  • Michelle McLennan, Air New Zealand
  • Nick Lewis, Air New Zealand
  • Nicole Laurie, Delta Air Lines
  • Peter Lombardi, Lufthansa Group
  • Richard Carrick, United Airlines
  • Zoe Gentle, Air Canada

Category 7 – Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Cruise

  • Chris Catanzariti, Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Elsa McLean, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
  • Helen Courias, Holland America Line
  • Melinda Wouda, Globus Family of Brands
  • Sarah Louise Scales, Quark Expeditions

Category 8 – Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Land Supply

  • Jacqui Tufala, Abercrombie & Kent
  • Kat Nitarski, On The Go Tours
  • Kim Knight, Viva Holidays
  • Kjirsten Trundle, Collette
  • Lea Seguier, LEA SEGUIER
  • Mary-Jane Devine, Crystalbrook Collection
  • Michelle Nickelson, Club Med
  • Mickey Mann, The Travel Corporation

Speaking on the finalists, ATIA CEO Dean Long said: “Congratulations to all of our NTIA Individual Award finalists! The independent assessors had a challenging task of reviewing and scoring all of the outstanding submissions from applicants across all sectors of the Australian travel industry.“Thank you to everyone who’s nomination we received. We’ve seen an excellent standard of submissions this year, and it has been a great indicator of the outstanding quality of Australian travel professionals.   “We’re all looking forward to the biggest weekend in Australian Travel this November 17th and 18th! ATIA is excited to see all of our finalists and come together to celebrate all of the individuals and businesses that make our industry great.”

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