At the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) 2022 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs), which returned on Saturday after what seemed like a very long three-year absence, it really did feel like everyone was a winner.
From the first award – Rookie of the Year – to the 31st and last gong of the evening for Most Outstanding Travel Agency Group, each victor was greeted with thunderous applause. It’s little wonder when you consider what one big winner from the night said.
“We’re one big family. We’re the only industry out there that will just have the best night out with our competitor,” Most Outstanding Travel Consultant – Leisure award winner Emily Kadinski told Karryon at the event.
“We help our competitors because that’s what this industry is like. It’s about community, it’s about family; we’re one big happy family.”
Karryon hit the red carpet on the way into the award pre-drinks, with Karryon founder Matt Leedham capturing some of the buzz and excitement in the lead-up to the Industry night-of-nights.
Karryon hits the red carpet!
In his first NTIA address as AFTA CEO, Dean Long galvanised the crowd by asking those who had written to their local MPs to stand; the well over 100 attendees who did so was shown rapturous appreciation.
Shortly afterwards, Long had the whole audience on its feet in a giant proverbial pat on the back for the industry and anyone who had done anything to help the travel trade since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Judging by some of the stories we heard about on the night, I know the travel industry will continue rising to overcome any challenges, just as we have already done over the course of the pandemic,” said Long.
“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.”
Last held in 2019, NTIA this year welcomed more than 1200 travel industry professionals, a figure AFTA chairman and Express Travel Group CEO Tom Manwaring said at a reception before the main event, represented around 5 per cent of the entire Australian travel trade.
Prize giveaways included business class tickets with major sponsor, Singapore Airlines, to anywhere in the world, and Virgin Australia business class tickets, among other prizes.
Emceed by television personality Richard Reid, the event featured aerial acrobats, football jugglers, live music, plenty of dancing, and so much hugging that social distancing was but a distant memory.
Take that, Covid.
Here’s the full list of NTIA winners for 2022
- 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
From all of us at Karryon, a huge congratulations to all of the winners, finalists, sponsors and everyone at AFTA for an outstanding NTIA reunion and celebration.
For more, head to www.afta.com.au
