Karryon spends some time with the winners of the National Travel Industry Awards’ (NTIA) inaugural Sustainability Award, Reho Travel, to get some insight into why they won and what’s on the cards for the future. We speak with Reho founder, Karsten Horne.
Considering this was the first NTIA since 2019, how special does this year’s award feel?
We were already over the moon when the category was announced, as we had been advocating for the sustainability category to be included for many years.
Having the opportunity to showcase our story to the industry creatively was a big motivation. Actually, winning the award felt like our purpose-driven approach was finally legitimised.
You had some stiff competition. To what do you attribute your win?
I feel we won the sustainability award as Reho Travel has genuinely lived and breathed our ethical values for many years, and the judges have been around long enough to witness our journey.
How has the pandemic changed the way you operate?
We are much leaner; 80% of our team now works remotely; we have invested further in technology and created a team based in Fiji to support our corporate and study tours divisions. We have also developed new pricing models.
Where to now for the travel industry?
During the pandemic, Travel Agents took the opportunity to showcase their true value. However, to survive, we must continue to educate our clients as to the value we add and be confident in our pricing models.
I also hope that the major airlines finally work out that we are a professional, experienced distribution network for their product and support us accordingly.
What do you love most about the travel industry?
I love how post-covid, the lines between competitors, suppliers and clients are blurred. Creating this wonderful global network of dreams, ideas, and solutions with everybody unashamedly supporting each other.
Hopefully, this will lead to the industry making a positive impact in all the areas in which it operates.
Read our ultimate wrap of NTIA here.
For more information on Reho Travel, click here.
