After unveiling the finalists for the industry-voted categories (21-31) earlier this week, the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has revealed the finalists in the individual categories for this year’s National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs).
Representing categories one to eight, the NTIA individual category submissions were assessed by university-level independent scrutineers over the past few weeks.
Based on overall assessment scores, the top five nominees in each category proceed to the finalist stage. Alternatively, ATIA announced up to nine finalists in categories where tied scores existed.
Due to the standard of submissions for the second category, ‘Travel Agency Manager’, the finalists for this category will be announced on Monday 9 October.
ATIA will announce the business category finalists next week.
NTIA 2023 will take place at Melbourne’s Palladium at Crown on 18 November.
“A challenging task”
“Congratulations to all of our NTIA Individual Award finalists! The independent assessors had a challenging task of reviewing and scoring all of the outstanding submissions from applicants across all sectors of the Australian travel industry,” ATIA CEO Dean Long said.
“Thank you to everyone whose nomination we received. We’ve seen an excellent standard of submissions this year, and it has been a great indicator of the outstanding quality of Australian travel professionals.
“We’re all looking forward to the biggest weekend in Australian Travel this November 17th and 18th!
“ATIA is excited to see all of our finalists and come together to celebrate all of the individuals and businesses that make our industry great.”
NTIA need-to-knows
Tickets for NTIA 2023 went on sale on 10 August. They are available here.
In July, ATIA announced Singapore Airlines as the major sponsor of the event for at least the next two years.
Earlier this month, ATIA announced that Viking and CVFR Consolidation Services would co-sponsor the two networking events that will kick off this year’s NTIA on Friday, 17 November. Viking will also sponsor the official afterparty celebration.
For more information on NTIA 2023, also click here.
NTIA 2023 Finalists
Tuesday, 3 October – Finalists in Judged, Business Categories
Monday, 9 October – Finalists for Category 2 – Most Outstanding Travel Agency Manager
Individual categories
Category 1 – Most Outstanding Mobile / Home Based Travel Advisor
Ally Casey Greville, TravelManagers Australia
Carly Retallack, TravelManagers Australia
Maria Piliouras, TravelManagers Australia
Melanie Whyte, TravelManagers Devonport
Rachel Cleary, Luxe Adventures – MTA travel
Rose Febo, TravelManagers Australia
Wendy Brockbank, MTA – Mobile Travel Agents
Category 2 – Most Outstanding Travel Agency Manager
To be announced
Category 3 – Most Outstanding Travel Consultant Corporate
Bec McIntyre, TAG Travel Group
Kristy Moore, Travel Moore
Lauren Zischke, TAG Travel Group
Leanne Ralston, Spencer Travel
Lee Haigh, Corporate Travel Management – CTM
Paloma Santos, CWT
Category 4 – Most Outstanding Travel Consultant Leisure
Amanda Taylor, Ignite Travel
Cherie Manson, Helloworld Travel Albury
Cindy Holsken, Travel by Wyndham
Emma Smith, Back Track Adventures
Karen Tink, Flight Centre
Louis Teng, Travel Associates
Martine Littlestone, Ignite Travel Group
Rachana Chitre, Saara Holidays
Scott Mcglynn, Helloworld Travel Winston Hills
Category 5 – Rookie of the Year
Cherie Manson, Helloworld Travel Albury
David O’Shea, RAA Travel
Georgia Walk, Helloworld Travel Mackay
Jarrod Sinclair, InsideJapan Tours
Kyle Single, CTM
Rachael McSorley, Global Journeys
Category 6 – Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Air
Anthony De Silva, Emirates
Michelle McLennan, Air New Zealand
Nick Lewis, Air New Zealand
Nicole Laurie, Delta Air Lines
Peter Lombardi, Lufthansa Group
Richard Carrick, United Airlines
Zoe Gentle, Air Canada
Category 7 – Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Cruise
Chris Catanzariti, Norwegian Cruise Line
Elsa McLean, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Helen Courias, Holland America Line
Melinda Wouda, Globus Family of Brands
Sarah Louise Scales, Quark Expeditions
Category 8 – Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Land Supply
Jacqui Tufala, Abercrombie & Kent
Kat Nitarski, On The Go Tours
Kim Knight, Viva Holidays
Kjirsten Trundle, Collette
Lea Seguier, LEA SEGUIER
Mary-Jane Devine, Crystalbrook Collection
Michelle Nickelson, Club Med
Mickey Mann, The Travel Corporation
Voted categories
Category 21 – Most Outstanding Tour Operator – Specialised
50 Degrees North
AAT Kings Tours
Albatross Tours
InsideJapan
Wide Eyed Tours
Category 22 – Most Outstanding Tour Operator – Global
Abercrombie & Kent
APT
Contiki
G Adventures
Intrepid Travel
Trafalgar
Category 23 – Most Outstanding Wholesaler – Product / Service
Adventure World
Entire Travel Group
Expedia TAAP
The Travel Junction
Viva Holidays
Category 24 – Most Outstanding Wholesaler – Destination / Experience
ANZCRO
Bench Africa
Contours Travel
Sno’n’Ski Holidays
The Africa Safari Co
Category 25 – Most Popular Tourism Office
Bundaberg Tourism
Hawaii Tourism Oceania
Destination Canada
Singapore Tourism Board
Switzerland Tourism
Tourism New Zealand | Manaakitanga Aotearoa
Category 26 – Most Popular Accommodation Group / Chain
Accor
Club Med
Hyatt Hotels
IHG Hotels & Resorts
The Ascott Limited, Australia
Category 27 – Most Popular Airline – Online
Air New Zealand
Emirates Airline
Qatar Airways
Singapore Airlines
Virgin Australia
Category 28 – Most Popular Airline – Offline
Air France KLM
Finnair
Lufthansa Group
Oman Air
Turkish Airlines
Category 29 – Most Popular Ocean Cruise Operator
Norwegian Cruise Line
Princess Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Viking
Virgin Voyages
Category 30 – Most Popular River Cruise Operator
APT Travel Group
Avalon Waterways
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Viking
Category 31 – Most Popular Car Rental Operator
Avis
Budget
East Coast Car Rentals
Hertz Australia
