The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has opened expressions of interest for travel professionals to join the judging panel of the 2026 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs).
Qualified travel professionals can now register their interest to help decide the winners of the industry’s peak awards, with judging running from 17 August to 4 September 2026.
Over that window, judges will either conduct live virtual interviews or independently assess finalist submissions as part of the winner determination process.
All appointed judges will be invited to attend a briefing session before assessments begin.
Who can apply
Candidates need at least 10 years’ experience in the travel industry or related sectors, with demonstrated leadership and a strong understanding of the Australian travel landscape and industry trends.
There are two exclusions: applicants cannot hold active commercial roles, and they cannot be from a sponsor of the NTIAs. That rules out anyone with a live conflict of interest, keeping the panel independent.
NTIA judges have historically been drawn from across the sector, including former travel agency leaders, executives and industry consultants.
How to register your interest
Interested professionals are asked to explain, in 250 words or less, why they are qualified and interested in judging the awards.
ATIA CEO Dean Long said the judges underpin the credibility of the awards.
“We’re delighted to welcome expressions of interest for the 2026 NTIA judges. The judges are a vital part of the NTIAs, bringing a high level of industry knowledge and expertise to the awards process – ensuring that finalists are judged fairly and that the standard of the NTIAs continues to be upheld,” says ATIA CEO Dean Long.
Why the panel matters
“The NTIAs are the highest honour in the Australian travel industry, and the calibre of our judges helps maintain that standard of excellence year after year,” says NTIA judges custodian Trish Shepherd.
“Their expertise is central to the integrity and rigour of the awards process, with NTIA judges drawn from across the industry, including former travel agency leaders, executives and industry consultants. For experienced travel professionals, judging is a rewarding way to contribute to the industry and be part of the NTIAs.”
ATIA represents the majority of Australian travel businesses, with 1100 accredited members across 1700 locations and 92 per cent of members classed as small businesses.
Expressions of interest are open now via the ATIA application form. Judging runs from 17 August to 4 September 2026, and all appointed judges will attend a briefing session. The judges’ call follows ATIA opening ticket packages for the 2026 Beyond Borders Travel Summit and NTIAs.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Judging the NTIAs is one of the few ways seasoned travel professionals can shape the industry’s most watched night without a commercial stake in it. With the panel reserved for those with a decade or more behind them and no active sponsor ties, the call is a nod to the experience quietly sitting across agencies, wholesalers and consultancies nationwide.
