Thirty of Travellers Choice’s star-performing members will likely have some tough decisions to make after being named the 2023 winners of the group’s Choice Awards program at the 2023 conference on the Gold Coast.
The winning agents can opt between travelling with a purpose in Vietnam thanks to Adventure World, discovering the spectacular landscapes of New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty courtesy of ANZCRO or relaxing on a private atoll in the Maldives as guests of Club Med – with all three journeys open to this year’s Choice Award recipients.
Launched in 2007, the Choice Awards recognise Travellers Choice members for their support of the network’s preferred suppliers, with winners traditionally receiving an invitation to join an exclusive Gold, Silver or Bronze Reward Trip.
With the program’s return this year following a four-year COVID-inspired hiatus, Travellers Choice took the opportunity to rework the prize structure in response to member feedback. As a result, all Choice Award winners are free to choose the trip they desire.
Managing Director Christian Hunter says the aim is to provide hard-working members with more than just greater flexibility regarding departure date and destination.
“These educational journeys offer a rare opportunity to share ideas and insights with colleagues, and to forge the connections and bonds that are the foundation of our group,” says Hunter. “Winners now have the opportunity to connect with fellow owners from across the three Choice Awards categories.”
Announcing the 2023 Choice Award recipients at this year’s Travellers Choice Conference on the Gold Coast, Hunter told members that the return of the awards program was an important development for the group.
“It marks the success our members have been able to deliver as the industry recovers, and this year, we have seen the return of some outstanding sales performances despite a few lingering challenges.”
2023 Gold Choice Award Winners
- Select World Travel, QLD
- Jamison Travel, ACT
- Oliver Travel, SA
- Windsong Travel, NSW
- Endeavour Travel & Cruise, QLD
- Everywhere Travel, WA
- Chris Watson Travel, NSW
- Panorama Cruise & Travel, NSW
- Capricorn Travel, WA
- Ballina Cruise & Travel, NSW
2023 Silver Choice Award Winners
2023 Bronze Choice Award Winners
Leading Agency Award Winner: Everywhere Travel
Based in Carnarvon, regional WA (approximately 900km north of Perth), Everywhere Travel is owned by Claire Van Dongen and Dianne Ramirez*.
Their agency was one of the very few that actually grew in sales volume during the pandemic, largely due to their WA location where intra-state travel was possible (note – they also service a significant corporate clientele, which actively travelled intra-state).
Service Awards for 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years
10 years: Greenhills Travel Centre, Montina Travel Centre and Mudgee Travel & Cruise,
15 years: Kingscote Travel, Oliver Travel, Sisterhood Women’s Travel and Travellers Place.
20 years: Global Village Travel, Macarthur Travel & Cruise Centre, Meridian World Travel & Cruise, Select World Travel and Taking Off Tours.
25 years: Carine Travel Bug and Floreat World of Travel.
30 years: City Beach Travel & Cruise.
Supplier of the Year Award Winner: Globus Family of Brands (GFOB).
Travellers Choice members nominate their top three preferred suppliers to receive the Supplier of the Year Award for support throughout the year.
Members consider partners according to on-road sales representation, reservations servicing, reservations processing, local area sales development support, product range and point-of-sale material. All members are invited to nominate, and all Travellers Choice preferred suppliers are eligible for nomination.
More than 220 Travellers Choice (TC) members and preferred suppliers from all reaches of Australia descended on the Gold Coast (GC) for this year’s group Conference held from 10-12 November 2023 at The Star.
Read all about what happened at the Conference here.
