Top travel achievers recognised

The 2009 National Travel Industry Awards gala dinner held in Sydney on Saturday night saw a number of travel businesses and professionals recognised for their excellence in the Australian travel industry.

The awards winners were:

* Travel Industry Special Recognition Award – Miles Clarke, Travel Writer
* Best Travel Consultant Retail – Debbi Ashes, Harvey World Travel – Lane Cove
* Best Travel Agency Retail Multi Location – Phil Hoffmann Travel
* Best Travel Agency Retail Single Store – Queanbeyan City Travel & Cruise
* Best Travel Consultant Corporate – Maryanne Osborne, The Travel Authority Crows Nest
* Best Travel Agency Corporate Multi Location – The Travel Authority
* Best Travel Agency Corporate Single Store – Travelforce – Sydney
* Best National Travel Management Company – Corporate Travel Management
* Best Innovation in Marketing – Retail Agency – Phil Hoffmann Travel
* Best Travel Writer – Stephen Scourfield, Travel Editor, The West Australian
* Best Registered Travel Industry Training Institution – William Angliss Institute
* Best Hotel/Resort – Australian Property – Cable Beach Club Resort
* Best Hotel/Resort Group – Club Med
* Best Agency Support Service – Travcour/Toll
* Best Tourist Office National – Tourism Queensland
* Best Tourist Office International – Singapore Tourism
* Best Car/Campervan Rental Operator – Hertz Australia
* Best Car Rental Wholesaler – Driveaway Holidays
* Best Sales Executive Industry Supplier – Julie Abbott, Emirates
Special Award of Encouragement – Nathan Baber, Driveaway Holidays
* Best Tour Operator Domestic – AAT Kings
* Best Tour Operator International – Globus
* Best Wholesaler Australian Product – Sunlover Holidays
* Best Wholesaler International Product – Creative Holidays
* Best Cruise Operator Australian Based – Princess Cruises
* Best Cruise Operator International – Princess Cruises
* Best Airline Domestic – Virgin Blue
* Best Airline International Off Line – Lufthansa German Airlines
* Best Airline International On Line – Singapore Airlines
* Best Travel Agency Group (100 outlets or more) – Flight Centre

Hall of Fame Winners

* Best Tour Operator Domestic – AAT Kings
* Best Car/Campervan Rental Operator – Hertz Australia Pty Ltd
* Best Car Rental Wholesaler – Driveaway Holidays
* Best Registered Travel Industry Training Institution – William Angliss Institute

“This year we had a record number of entries and this has brought about a great deal of competition. Be you a finalist or winner, you should be very proud of your achievement”, said AFTA chief executive, Jayson Westbury.