Yes, that’s right folks – it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for. The winners for The Travel Awards 2019 have been announced!
More than 600 industry professionals put on their glad rags and made their way to The Venue in the Sydney suburb of Alexandria on Friday night, where a teal carpet and champagne was waiting for them on arrival, courtesy of the awards’ principal partner, Crystal.
After posing for a few snaps in front of the media wall and exchanging pleasantries, it was time for guests to sit down and enjoy a three-course meal, plenty of booze and the antics of The Chaser’s Andrew Hansen and Chris Taylor, who were hosts of the grand event.
A total of 37 trophies were handed at the awards, as the industry honoured and celebrated its best and brightest. And just to give you an idea of the level of competition, Travel Weekly received more than 400 entries this year.
Special mention goes to The Travel Corporation, which took home the Grand Prix gong and an advertising package worth a whopping $75,000 from our media partner, Better Homes and Gardens, and Japan was named the People’s Choice winner (favourite destination).
Big thanks to all of our 13 sponsors, as well as our esteemed judges and those made The Travel Awards shortlist.
And, of course, a big congratulations to all of the fabulous winners, which you can check out in full below:
Corporate Travel Agency of The Year – 49 Employees and Under (sponsored by Travel Trade Recruitment)
Platinum Travel Corporation
Corporate Travel Agency of The Year – 50 Employees and Over (sponsored by Hertz Australia)
Stage and Screen Travel Services
Home Based Agency Group of the Year (sponsored by Intrepid Travel)
TravelManagers Australia
Travel Agency of the Year – Under 30 Employees (sponsored by G Adventures)
Spencer Travel Eastside
Travel Agency of the Year – Over 30 Employees (sponsored by Collette)
Travel Associates
Travel Recruitment Agency of the Year
TMS Talent
Wholesaler of the Year
Excite Holidays
Adventure Travel Wholesaler of the Year
World Expeditions
Specialist Wholesaler of the Year
Encounter Travel
Travel Insurance Provider of the Year
Cover-More Travel Insurance
Online Booking Website of the Year
Inspiring Vacations
Technology Provider of the Year (sponsored by The Travel Corporation)
Amadeus
Trade Sales Team of the Year (sponsored by Avis Budget Group)
G Adventures
Escorted Touring Company of the Year
Insight Vacations
Premium Economy Class Airline of the Year
Air New Zealand
Business Class Airline of the Year (sponsored by Corporate Traveller)
Etihad Airways
Social Media Campaign of the Year (sponsored by Universal Traveller)
Air New Zealand – ‘The Nicest Christmas Ever’
Marketing Campaign of the Year
GTI Tourism for New Caledonia – ‘The Bachelor in New Caledonia’
PR Campaign of the Year
Tourism Fiji – ‘BULAnaires’
Rail Operator of the Year (sponsored by The Travel Corporation)
Railbookers
Vehicle Hire of the Year
Avis
Innovation of the Year (sponsored by Red Havas)
G Adventures
Sustainable Tourism Company of the Year
Nanuku Auberge Resort
Social Responsibility Award
Intrepid Group
River Cruise Line of the Year (sponsored by Gate 1 Travel)
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises Collection
Small Ship Cruise Line of the Year
SeaDream Yacht Club
Ocean Cruise Line of the Year
Royal Caribbean International
Expedition Cruise Line of the Year
Hurtigruten
Hotel of the Year (sponsored by Travel Associates)
QT Melbourne
Boutique Hotel of the Year – 10 Properties or Less
Jamala Wildlife Lodge
Hotel Group of the Year (sponsored by Wendy Wu Tours)
InterContinental Hotels Group
Luxury Travel Brand of the Year
Crystal Cruises
Destination of the Year (sponsored by Crystal Cruises)
New York City
Tourism Board of the Year
Brand USA
Employer of Choice
The Travel Corporation
People’s Choice – Favourite Destination
Japan
Grand Prix
The Travel Corporation
