NATIONAL Travel Industry Award (NTIA) nominations are now open for 2023, with this year’s process set to be “better than ever”.
The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) has been collaborating with its new NTIA Custodians on the Awards, which has seen several recommendations and restructures.
NTIA categories and eligibility now better reflect the industry for this year’s Awards, which are set to be held in Melbourne on 18 November.
In total there will be up to 36 award categories, including 27 “Most Outstanding” judged categories, seven “Most Popular” voted categories, and two “People’s Choice” consumer campaigns.
Several categories have been expanded to reflect the industry’s strong growth and expansion of scope, including additions to the Cruise, Airline, Tour Operator, and Wholesaler categories.
The Awards will also see the reintroduction of Business Events Travel Agency and Car Rental Operator categories, as well as a brand-new category, Innovation in Travel Support Services.
ATAS Accreditation will be a prerequisite for travel consultant and agency categories, as well as tour operators and wholesalers, while this year’s NTIAs will also see the introduction of an awards management portal to streamline the nominee experience.
Judging for the “Most Outstanding” Awards will continue to follow a two-step process with finalists determined from submissions and judging from a panel selected by the NTIA Custodians.
“Most Popular” Supplier categories will be opened to industry voting, with the top five voted companies confirmed as finalists, and the top-voted suppliers announced as the winner.
“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,” Chief Executive Officer 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.”
Nominations are open until 14th July, with full details at afta.com.au.
