A REFESHED lineup of categories at the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs) has been revealed by the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA), with the latest changes aiming to celebrate the diversity, strength and innovation of the travel sector.
With nominations opening today and closing on 21 May, the evolution of the NTIAs this year include the retirement of four categories, including the Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Hotels/Car Hire award; Most Outstanding Business Events Travel Agency; Most Outstanding Leisure Travel Agency – Single Location; as well as Most Outstanding Leisure Travel Agency – Multi Location.
In a bid to shift away from the number of locations to branding, the latter two awards have been replaced, one being the Most Outstanding Independent Leisure Travel Agency – businesses operating under a unique trading name that does not include a brand or consortia.
The second is the Most Outstanding Branded Leisure Travel Agency – agencies operating with a recognised brand within its trading name, and up to a max of 20 locations.
Other new additions include Most Popular Reservations/ Groups Team, while the Most Outstanding Travel Industry Training Institution award will now be the Most Outstanding Travel Industry Training Program, reflecting a transition to honour the courses themselves rather than the organisation.
Further changes will see the Most Outstanding Branded Travel Agency Group to require nominees to operate a minimum of 20 locations, with all locations consistently branded, emphasising the strength of national brand presence.
Accreditation changes have also been actioned, seeing nominees for Most Outstanding Mobile/ Home Based Travel Advisor needing to be ATIA accredited, or at least a current ATIA Individual Member who is part of a network.
The Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Tour Operator and Sales Executive – Wholesaler nominees will also need to be employed by an ATIA-accredited tour operator or wholesaler.
The changes have been guided by input from the NTIA Custodians, with the changes seeking to uphold the integrity and credibility of the awards program into the future.
“The appetite of Australia’s travel community to promote and support excellence in the sector by nominating, voting and attending the NTIAs celebrations grows exponentially every year and we already know from enquiries that 2025 will be no different,” said ATIA CEO Dean Long.
The NTIA Gala will be held at The Star Brisbane on Sat 18 October, following the Beyond Borders Summit the day before – find out more HERE.
