National Travel Industry Awards 2006

The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) Annual National Travel Industry Awards – the industry’s night of nights to celebrate excellence and success – were held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne on Saturday July 8, 2006.

The Awards process was changed for 2006 whereby travel agents nominated and voted for all entrants in the supplier categories, and suppliers nominated and voted for all entrants in the travel agent categories. Finalists in many categories were flown to Sydney to make a physical presentation to the Judging Panel.

The very successful evening resulted in the following winners being announced:

Best Travel Consultant – Corporate – Sponsored by Avis Australia
Andrew Blakey – World Travel Professionals, Gold Coast
Travelscene American Express Group

Best Travel Consultant – Retail – Sponsored by Qantas Airways
Hilary Weir – Harvey World Travel, Garden City
Harvey World Travel Group

Best Travel Agency – Corporate – Regional – Sponsored by Covermore Travel Insurance
World Travel Professionals Gold Coast
Travelscene American Express Group

Best Travel Agency – Corporate – Metro – Sponsored by Qantas Airways
Corporate Travel Management Brisbane
Travelscene American Express Group

Best Travel Agency – Retail – Regional – Sponsored by Qantas Airways
Harvey World Travel Mackay
Harvey World Travel Group

Best Travel Agency – Retail – Metro – Sponsored by Avis Australia
Sabra Travel
Travelscene American Express Group

Best Travel Industry Training Institution – Sponsored by Hertz Australia
AFTA Travel and Tourism College New South Wales
Australian College of Business Group

Best Hotel – Resort Group – Sponsored by Queensland Rail
Accor Asia Pacific

Best Hotel – Resort – Australian Property – Sponsored by Queensland Rail
Hayman

Best Sales Executive – Industry Supplier – Sponsored by TMS Asia Pacific
Julie Rogers – Globus

Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to the Australian Travel Industry – Sponsored by Hertz Australia
Mike Hatton – AFTA

Best Agency Support Service – Sponsored by Thai Airways International
Concorde Ticket Centre

Best Airline – Regional – Sponsored by Sabre Pacific
Virgin Blue Airlines

Best Airline – National – Sponsored by Transonic Travel Limited
Virgin Blue Airlines

Best Tourist Office – Domestic – Sponsored by Cher International
Tourism Tasmania

Best Tourist Office – International – Sponsored by Tempo Holidays
Visit Britain

Best Car Rental Company – Sponsored by The Travel Corporation
Driveaway Holidays

Best Tour Operator – Domestic – Sponsored by Consolidated Travel Pty Ltd
Sunlover Holidays

Best Tour Operator – International – Sponsored by AA Appointments
Insight Vacations Pty Ltd

Best Cruise Operator – Sponsored by Travel People
P & O Cruises Australia

Best Wholesaler – Australian Product – Sponsored by Britz Campervan Rentals
Qantas Holidays

Best Wholesaler – International Product – Sponsored by AA Appointments
Creative Holidays

Best Airline International – Offline – Sponsored by Transonic Travel Limited
Lufthansa German Airlines

Best Airline International – On Line – Sponsored by Star Appointments
Emirates

Best Travel Agency Group – Sponsored by Qantas Airways
Travelscene American Express – Group

The passing of industry identities was acknowledged during the evening and tribute paid to their contribution to the industry over many years

Dick Lamb
Brian Farmer-Maloney
Iris Moran
Chris Newman
Les Power
Steven Rich
Michael Rudny