The votes have been counted and the list of finalists is finally here! Did any of your friends or colleagues make the list?
The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) has announced the list of 2016 AFTA National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) Finalists for all 38 categories.
According to the group, a record number of 3,600 votes were made during this year’s polling period, making the competition across all categories “fierce”.
“But the industry has spoken and today we are pleased to announce the highest–ranked nominees who will proceed through to the finalist status.”
Jayson Westbury, AFTA Chief Executive
From here, finalists will deliver a presentation to the NTIA judging panel from 16 May to 24 May.
Winners will then be revealed at the NTIA Gala Dinner on 16 July.
Check out a few of this year’s finalists below. Click here for the full list.
Category 1 | Best Travel Agency Group (50 outlets or more)
• Flight Centre
• Helloworld Limited
• Student Flights
• Travellers Choice
Category 2 | Best Non Branded Travel Agency Group
• Express Travel Group
• helloworld for business
• Magellan Group
Category 3 | Best Travel Agency Retail – Single Location
• Bicton Travel
• FBI Travel
• Gippsland Travel Centre
• helloworld Lane Cove
• italktravel Hillarys
Category 4 | Best Travel Agency Retail – Multi Location
• Escape Travel Toronto, Charlestown, Kotara, Glendale and Mt Hutton
• helloworld Hunter Travel Group / RACT Travel
• helloworld Mackay and Mt. Pleasant
• MTA – Mobile Travel Agents
• TravelManagers Australia
Category 5 | Best Travel Agency Corporate – Single Location
• helloworld Newcastle Corporate
• Sanford International Travel
• Spencer Travel
• The Journeymasters
Category 6 | Best Travel Agency Corporate– Multi Location
• Platinum Travel Corporation
• Reho Travel
• Stage & Screen Travel Services
• Travel Beyond Group
• World Travel Professionals
Category 7 | Best National Travel Management Company
• American Express Global Business Travel
• BCD Travel Australia
• Corporate Travel Management
• FCM Travel Solutions
• QBT
Category 8 | Best Online Travel Agency (OTA)
• Cruise Guru – www.cruiseguru.com.au
• Luxury Escapes – www.luxuryescapes.com
• TripADeal – www.tripadeal.com.au
Category 9 | Best Business Events Travel Agency
• All Occasions Travel
• American Express Global Business Travel
• cievents
• Event Travel Management
• Platinum Event Solutions
Category 10 | Best Travel Consultant – Retail
• Deryk Neighbour – Flight Centre MET Centre NSW
• Hollie McCann – Bicton Travel WA
• James Jang – Where2Travel VIC
• Jane Gannon, Allure Travel by CTM QLD
• Lena Nielson, Flight Centre Bondi Junction NSW
Category 11 | Best Travel Consultant – Corporate
• Britta Gileno – Corporate Travel Management VIC
• Mo Hosea – Carlson Wagonlit Travel WA
• Sam La Rosa – Show Group Enterprises NSW
• Tracy Dodsworth – Travel Counsellors Coffs Harbour NSW
Category 12 | Best Travel Agency Manager– Retail Single Location
• Kobi Henderson – Flight Centre Sydney Airport NSW
• Maria Slater – Maria Slater Travel ACT
• Melinda Leenman – italktravel Hillarys WA