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NTIA Nominations open with refreshed Categories

Nominations open today for the 2025 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA), with a refreshed line-up of categories that celebrate the diversity, strength, and innovation of Australia’s travel sector.
 
In 2025, 36 award categories will recognise excellence across the industry, with new and refined categories ensuring the awards remain fit for purpose, reflective of the evolving travel landscape, and representative of the breadth of talent and expertise in the sector.
 
The NTIA Custodians have played an enhanced role in providing industry insights and guidance to uphold the integrity and credibility of the awards program. Their stewardship ensures the awards not only celebrate success but set benchmarks for the future of the travel industry.
 
Key changes to the 2025 NTIA categories include:

• Nominees for Most Outstanding Mobile / Home Based Travel Advisor now need to be ATIA Accredited themselves or a current ATIA Individual Member whose part of a network (change: if they’re part of a network – they now also need to be an ATIA Individual Member).
• Streamlined Sales Executive Awards: The "Most Outstanding Sales Executive - Hotels / Car Hire" category has been retired following industry feedback and participation trends, allowing a sharper focus on the most competitive and representative fields of excellence.
• “Most Outstanding Sales Executive – Tour Operator” and “Sales Executive – Wholesaler” need to be employed by an ATIA Accredited Tour Operator or Wholesaler – reinforcing ATIA’s benchmark for industry standards
• “Most Outstanding Corporate Travel Agency – Group Travel  - “Most Outstanding Business Events Travel Agency” has been retired. This category is for agencies specialising in business events (MICE), Entertainment, Touring, Production, Sports and other group travel.
• Most Outstanding Leisure Travel Agency – Single Location & Most Outstanding Leisure Travel Agency – Multi Location have both been retired. Shifting away from number of locations to branding. Categories are now:
  • Most Outstanding Independent Leisure Trave Agency – agencies operating with a unique trading name that doesn’t include a brand or consortia
  • Most Outstanding Branded Leisure Travel Agency – agencies operating with a recognised brand within its trading name, up to a maximum of 20 locations
• Clarified Branded Travel Group Standards: The "Most Outstanding Branded Travel Agency Group" will require nominees to operate a minimum of 20 locations, with all locations consistently branded, emphasising the strength of national brand presence.
• New Team Achievement Award: A new addition, "Most Popular Reservations / Groups Team," will, for the first time, honour the exceptional work of teams within the travel industry, shining a light on collaborative excellence.
• “Most Outstanding Travel Industry Training Institution” now “Most Outstanding Travel Industry Training Program” – instead of celebrating the training organisation – shift to the program / courses themselves. 

The awards will culminate at the NTIA Gala, to be held at The Star Brisbane on Saturday 18 October 2025, following the Beyond Borders Summit on 17 October. 
 
To view the full line up of NTIA 2025 categories and for more information on the Awards Program, visit http://www.atia.travel/NTIA2025
 
Nominations close 21 May.
 
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO DEAN LONG, ATIA CEO:
"The NTIAs celebrate the achievements of those who lead and inspire our vibrant travel industry. These new and refined categories ensure the awards reflect the breadth and innovation of our sector today."
 
"The role of the NTIA Custodians has never been more important. Their insights and guidance ensure the NTIAs continue to maintain the highest standards of credibility and distinction."
 
"The appetite of Australia’s travel community to promote and support excellence in the sector by nominating, voting and attending the NTIA celebrations grows exponentially every year and we already know from inquiries that 2025 will be no different.
 
“This is your chance to recognise and honour the incredible talent and contribution that drives our industry forward so get nominating!”