It’s that time of year again … when nominations for the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) get underway. But this year’s awards, which take place on 18 November, will be different.
Of course, there’s the change of NTIA host city to Melbourne.
But award categories will also grow from 31 to 36, now comprising 27 “Most Outstanding” judged categories, seven “Most Popular” voted categories and “People’s Choice” consumer campaigns.
Among the expanded awards categories are cruise, airline, tour operator and wholesaler.
The event will also reinstate the Business Events Travel Agency and Car Rental Operator awards, and introduce the new Innovation in Travel Support Services category.
Additionally, the NTIA 2023 will see the introduction of an awards management portal to improve the overall nominee experience.
The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) says nominees for travel consultant, agency, tour operator and wholesaler awards will need to be ATAS-accredited to “recognise their continued commitment to elevating the standards” of the sector.
The awards’ changes follow a collaboration between AFTA and the new NTIA Custodians as they try to make the event more reflective of the travel industry and its expanded scope.
“Our NTIA Custodians have been hard at work collaborating with AFTA to preserve the integrity of the NTIAs while continuing to evolve the process of recognising and rewarding excellence in Australia’s Travel Sector,” AFTA CEO Dean Long said.
“These changes best reflect the expansion of scope of our industry and allow for the recognition of excellence across all parts of the travel industry sector.
“As the pre-eminent awards for our Industry and given the significant value that corporate and consumer Australia places on the NTIAs, these changes will serve to enhance the reputation of our finalists and winners as the very best in class for 2023.”
How it’ll work
“Most Outstanding” awards will continue in a two step process, with finalists determined from submissions and then judged by a panel chosen by the Custodians. However, sponsors and trade media will no longer be able to participate in judging.
“Most Popular” supplier categories will be open to industry voting, with the top five companies confirmed as finalists.
Nominations for NTIA 2023 will close at 5pm (AEST) on 14 July and can be made here.
AFTA recently announced that it was looking to arrange special flights from capital cities around Australia to Melbourne for NTIA 2023.
