Nominations for the 2026 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) are officially open, with the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) unveiling refreshed categories and all the key event dates for this year’s program.
This year, 36 categories will recognise achievement across the travel sector, with several award names updated to better reflect the industry’s changing landscape.
Among the tweaks, “Rookie of the Year” becomes “Most Outstanding New Talent”, while “Most Outstanding Corporate Travel Agency – Group Travel” has been renamed “Most Outstanding Specialist Travel Management Company”.
ATIA has also broadened the former “Innovation in Travel Support Services” category, now titled “Most Outstanding Travel Support Service”.
The 2026 NTIA Gala Dinner will take place in Melbourne on 10 October, following the Beyond Borders Summit and Finalist Celebration on 9 October.
Peer nominations are now open and close on 22 May, with ATIA encouraging industry professionals to recognise standout colleagues and businesses across the sector nationwide.
“NTIA nominations are now open, and this is the chance to recognise the people and businesses setting the standard for excellence in travel,” ATIA CEO Dean Long said.
“These awards are about celebrating those who go above and beyond every day to deliver outstanding outcomes for Australian travellers.
“Whether you’re nominating a peer, a team or putting your own business forward, NTIA is an opportunity to showcase the very best who define our industry. Please get involved and get your nominations in.”
Individual awards for travel professionals and sales executives
- Category 1 – Most Outstanding Mobile / Home Based Travel Advisor
- Category 2 – Most Outstanding Travel Agency Manager
- Category 3 – Most Outstanding Travel Consultant Corporate
- Category 4 – Most Outstanding Travel Consultant Leisure
- Category 5 – Most Outstanding New Talent
- Category 6 – Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Air
- Category 7 – Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Cruise
- Category 8 – Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Tour Operator
- Category 9 – Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Wholesaler
Business awards for ATIA accredited members
- Category 10 – Most Outstanding Employee Engagement and Recruitment Program
- Category 11 – Most Outstanding Online Travel Agency
- Category 12 – Most Outstanding Corporate Travel Agency – Group Travel
- Category 13 – Most Outstanding Australian-Owned Travel Management Company
- Category 14 – Most Outstanding Global Travel Management Company
- Category 15 – Most Outstanding Independent Leisure Travel Agency
- Category 16 – Most Outstanding Branded Leisure Travel Agency
- Category 17 – Sustainability Award – ATIA Accredited Agency
- Category 18 – Most Outstanding Mobile Advisor Network
- Category 19 – Most Outstanding Branded Travel Agency Group
- Category 20 – Most Outstanding Travel Agency Network
- Category 21 – Most Outstanding Tour Operator – Specialised
- Category 22 – Most Outstanding Tour Operator – Global
- Category 23 – Most Outstanding Wholesaler – Product/Service
- Category 24 – Most Outstanding Wholesaler – Destination/Experience
Trade awards for industry suppliers
- Category 25 – Most Popular Tourism Office
- Category 26 – Most Popular Accommodation Group/Chain
- Category 27 – Most Popular Airline – Online
- Category 28 – Most Popular Airline – Offline
- Category 29 – Most Popular Ocean Cruise Operator
- Category 30 – Most Popular River Cruise Operator
- Category 31 – Most Popular Car Rental Operator
- Category 32 – Most Popular Reservations/Groups Team
- Category 33 – Most Outstanding Travel Industry Training Program
- Category 34 – Sustainability Award – Supplier
- Category 35 – Most Outstanding Travel Support Service
- Category 36 – Most Outstanding Marketing Campaign
Key NTIA 2026 dates
- Nominations open: 28 April
- Nominations close: 22 May
- Nominees announced: 01 June
- Industry voting commences: 15 June
- Submissions due: 01 July
- Industry voting concludes: 17 July
- Finalists announced: late July / early August
- Finalist interviews: 17 August – 04 September
- NTIA 2026 gala dinner: 10 October in Melbourne
The winners of the 2025 National Travel Industry Awards were revealed at a glittering gala at The Star in Brisbane – and Karryon was there to bring you all the action. Check out who took home all the gongs last year here.
KARRYON UNPACKS: NTIA season always sparks plenty of chatter across the trade, but the category refresh feels particularly telling this year. The changes reflect how specialised and layered the industry has become, especially around support services and complex travel management. For advisors and operators alike, it’s another reminder that recognition is increasingly shifting beyond pure sales and toward expertise, adaptability and long-term value.
