Who’s ready to hit the dance floor?! Well, hold onto your party pants for another four days when you can let loose with industry friends at this year’s National Tourism Industry Awards (NTIAs).
That’s right, there’s only four days left until the annual awards night kicks off and we’re as excited as you because once again KARRYON will be there.
Be sure to look out for us and don’t be shy about asking us for pictures because like you, we’ll be the unofficial photographers for the night too, taking all the best (and hilarious) snaps from the evening.
Until then, we’ve kept our ears to the ground for any exciting updates from the Gala Dinner, and here’s what we learned:
PRIZES! OH, SO MANY PRIZES!
If you weren’t overly drunk during last year’s Gala Dinner, then you’ll remember the prizes were EPIC – that’s thanks to Qantas and the Star Alliance who were giving away flights like they were Oprah in partnership with a car company.
This year is no different (except maybe a little bit better), as the Star Alliance returns with all the goods.
In an update to KARRYON, the airline group said it has joined forced with the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) to offer NTIA 2018 attendees the opportunity to win one of eight unforgettable journeys, which includes FLIGHTS and TOURS.
Among the prizes is a Thailand package including a flight for two to Phuket and a seven-night Thai island cruise courtesy of Thai Airways and Peregrine Adventures.
There’s also a 19-day Canada and Alaska experience equipped with an Air Canada flight to Vancouver, a Cosmos adventure aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and a seven-night cruise to Alaska.
ARRIBA ARRIBA! A trip to Mexico is also up for grabs thanks to United Airlines supplying flights for two and Club Med offering five nights at an all-inclusive resort at the tip of the iconic Riviera Maya.
Other prizes include trips to China, South Africa, Chicago, and Zurich.
Bring all the luck you can with you on the night!
A CELEBRITY GUEST
If you’re an avid KARRYON reader, then you already know that NTIA organisers ARE BELIEVED to have arranged for a celebrity singer to meet and exceed the epic performance delivered by Ricki-Lee in 2017.
We’ve used our detective skills (extreme guessing) to try and determine who this year’s famous singer might be and have come to the conclusion that it could quite possibly be Kelly Rowland, Amy Shark, or click here for one of our other guesses.
Who do you hope it is?
A HOME-BASED WINNER
Despite their distinctive differences and growing presence in the industry, mobile consultants were thrown into unfitting retail categories.
Until now!
NTIA is making history in 2018 by introducing a category specifically for home-based Travel Agents called ‘Best Travel Broker Network’.
Finalists hoping to win the inaugural award are: MTA – Mobile Travel Agents, Savenio Travel, Travel Counsellors and Travel Partners.
Who do you think it’ll be?
A COOL WELCOMING
If you were impressed by last year’s traditional Grecian welcoming (outfits, music and dancers – it was a treat!), you’re apparently going to LOVE this year’s welcoming.
An insider told KARRYON that the 2018 NTIA welcoming will be a completely new and fun format that’ll really hype the crowd while they wait for the auditorium doors to open.
A SPACIOUS AFTER-PARTY
KARRYON has also learned that the after-party will return to the spacious Watershed venue this year, which is great news as there’ll be three levels of space for attendees to socialise and dance.
For ALL NTIA news, pics and updates, be sure to follow KARRYON on Facebook or keep an eye on our website.
READ: Rumour has it, a celebrity will perform at this year’s industry awards
READ: Finalists, who will win at this year’s gala?