Emily Kadinski from itravel Carlingford took home the ‘Most Outstanding Travel Consultant – Leisure’ gong at the 2022 Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs) held in Sydney on Saturday night. Karryon caught up with Emily on the dancefloor to ask her how she was feeling about the massive win.
‘I don’t care; I LOVE it!’ Emily Kadinski is singing along to the electro-pop hit ‘I love it’, which rings out across the floor at ICC Sydney. The itravel Carlingford owner and manager has just won the prestigious award for Most Outstanding Travel Consultant – Leisure at the 2022 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA), and Kadinski says the words of the song pretty much sum up her role as a travel professional during the tumult of the last few years.
“Stuff COVID. We love travel, and we are back!”
Travel professionals work in an industry “that requires commitment and perseverance, never more so than in the last two years,” Kadinski tells Karryon at the travel industry’s night of nights.
“But when you love what you do, you push through adversity and the benefits are endless,” she says.
To Kadinski, to be recognised for this hard work is amazing and “the fact that it’s peer-nominated and peer-judged” is the true value of the award.
“I think that’s the biggest thing; it’s not about popularity … it’s about the fact they value what you bring to the industry,” she remarked.
“This award is the culmination of my lifelong dedication to the travel industry. For my peers to have given me the privilege of being ‘Most Outstanding in Australia’ is a mark I will wear proudly and never forget.
“The award isn’t just mine, but a beacon for all young consultants with a vision and the passion to make that vision a reality.”
Emerging from the travel industry’s darkest years hasn’t been easy, but Kadinski says, “this win has made me even more excited for the future of our industry and the new direction we must take coming out of COVID.”
Kadinski, who boasts multiple university degrees — none of which relate to travel — says the travel trade is just “in her blood”.
“Travel isn’t a job, it’s a way of life and by working together across the industry we create the most amazing experiences for our clients. That is the grand prize!”
And the secret to Kadinski and her business’s success comes down to a simple formula.
“itravel Carlingford is a family. When a client walks through the door, you’re inviting them to your family,” she said.
The AFTA NTIA Awards returned after an enforced three-year hiatus on Saturday, 15 October.
For more, head to www.afta.com.au
