The National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs) roared back into fashion on Saturday night following a 3-year hiatus, bringing 1200 industry leaders together for a night of celebration and reflection.
The night of nights was held at the Sydney International Convention Centre (ICC) in the venues recently renovated Grand Ballroom.
The capacity crowd was wowed with not only the biggest dancefloor in NTIA history, but also a jaw dropping acrobatic silks display as the intermission. Attendees took the chance to mingle, network and exchange stories for the first time in years due to the endless COVID shutdowns.
During his opening address AFTA CEO, Dean Long expressed his gratitude to members of the audience who had lobbied politicians and media outlets in an effort to draw attention to the plight of the travel industry during COVID.
“The NTIAs 2022 was truly a night to remember,” Long said.
“This is in no small part due to the high calibre of entries we received and the exemplary support travel professionals provided to their clients this year.
“Events of the scale the NTIAs 2022 celebration do not just happen. On behalf of everyone I thank the hardworking AFTA team and the generous support of our sponsors for helping us realise our vision for this event.”
Hollywood gossip guru, Richard Reid, hosted the evening with costume changes and garish jackets keeping the good, spirited crowd engaged.
There was also a plethora of price giveaways that punctuated the evening, ranging from hotel stays long haul business class flights, courtesy of headline sponsor, Singapore Airlines.
“Our resilient travel community is our greatest strength, and moving forward AFTA will continue our focus on harnessing the skills and expertise across our network to benefit our industry, our clients and our businesses,” Long said.
Check out the full NTIAs winners list below:
- Rookie of the Year – Bella King, American Express Global Business Travel
- Most Outstanding Travel Consultant Leisure – Emily Kadinski, itravel Carlingford
- Most Outstanding Travel Consultant Corporate – Lynette Wells, American Express Global Business Travel
- Most Outstanding Travel Industry Training Institution – CLIA Australasia
- Most Outstanding Employee Engagement and Recruitment Program – American Express Global Business Travel
- Travel Consultant Scholarship – Kristy Moore, Travel Moore
- Most Outstanding Wholesaler – Creative Cruising
- Most Outstanding Tour Operator – Chimu Adventures
- Sustainability Award – Agency – Reho Travel
- Sustainability Award – Supplier – Air New Zealand
- Most Outstanding Marketing Campaign – Agency – Ignite Travel Group – My Cruises
- Most Outstanding Marketing Campaign – Supplier – NCL (Norwegian Cruise Line) – Walk for Wellness
- Most Outstanding Consumer Travel Reporter/ Journalist – Fiona Carruthers
- Most Outstanding Industry Support – Accommodation – Quest Apartment Hotels
- Most Outstanding Industry Support – Air – Singapore Airlines
- Most Outstanding Industry Support – Cruise – Norwegian Cruise Line
- Most Popular Travel Support Service – Amadeus
- Most Popular Tourism Office – Singapore Tourism Board
- Most Popular Travel Support Service by an individual – Charlie Trevena
- Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Land Supply – Dylan Hearne, Backroads Global Touring
- Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Air – Nicole Laurie, Delta Air Lines
- Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Cruise, Tenille Hunt, Quark Expeditions
- Most Outstanding Travel Agency Manager – Jacinta Blundell, Helloworld Travel Buderim & Caboolture
- Most Outstanding Mobile/ Home Based Travel Advisor – Rose Febo, TravelManagers
- Most Outstanding Travel Agency – Leisure – Helloworld Travel Mackay, Mt Pleasant & Townsville
- NewsCorp Australia People’s Choice Award – Linda Forster, TravLin Travel
- Most Outstanding Online Travel Agency – MyCruises
- Most Outstanding Mobile Advisor Network – TravelManagers Australia Pty Ltd
- Most Outstanding Travel Management Company – Corporate Travel Management (CTM)
- Most Outstanding Non Branded Agency Group – Travellers Choice
- Most Outstanding Travel Agency Group – Flight Centre Travel Group
Check out some photos of the individual winners below:
