Get ready to celebrate Australia’s top travel businesses… the finalists for the 2024 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA 2024) People’s Choice Award have been announced.

The five NTIA 2024 finalists were chosen by Australian travellers, who nominated their favourite ATAS-accredited travel brands, including retail and online agencies, tour operators and cruise lines. 

The winner of this year’s People’s Choice Award, which is presented by Escape, will be revealed at the NTIA gala on Saturday, 26 October 2024, at ICC Sydney. NTIA 2024 is supported by major sponsor Singapore Airlines.

The finalists competing for the award this year are:

• Contiki
• Flight Centre North Lakes
• JC Travel Professionals
• Royal Caribbean
• Taking Off Tours

“Congratulations to all of our People’s Choice Award finalists!” ATIA Acting CEO Ingrid Fraser said.

“This award is a special recognition from the travelling public, underscoring the exceptional service and dedication of our ATAS-accredited brands, sometimes in life-changing ways.

“We’re excited to see who will take home the title of ‘People’s Champion’ at this year’s NTIA.”

Contiki Managing Director, TTC Tour Brands, Toni Ambler said, “We’re thrilled to be a finalist for the NTIA’s People’s Choice Award”. 

“For many Contiki travellers, their first big adventure starts with us, and being ATAS-accredited is our way of saying, ‘We’ve got you’. 

“It gives that extra peace of mind knowing you’re booking with a trusted operator who’ll look after all the important details, so you can focus on making the most of your trip and creating the next legendary Contiki story.”

Flight Centre General Manager Australia Brent Novak said the Flight Centre brand was chuffed with its representation as a finalist in the category.

“As Australia’s most trusted travel agent, we’re thrilled that we’ve been named a finalist for the Escape People’s Choice Award in 2024,” he remarked.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to hear how our customers are finding joy in travel and sharing this joy through nominations in this award category. 

“A huge congratulations to the entire team of travel experts at Flight Centre North Lakes for this recognition of hard work and dedication to their customers.”

Freddy Mikhael, Managing Director of JC Travel Professionals, a member of CT Partners, said “As a team, we were delighted to be selected as a People’s Choice finalist – a great testimony from our clients of the exclusive personal service we are providing them”.

“Being a finalist is the ultimate reward for the incredible hard work, devotion and tireless efforts we put day in and day out to ensure our clients are having the very best experience our industry offers,” he added. 

“Our friendly attitude as a team has created amazing harmony with our clients assuring them that they are looked after as a family and not as part of a travel transaction.

“A big thank you to all those who testified and paved the road for us to be a finalist of this highly prestigious award.”

Royal Caribbean Australia and New Zealand Vice President and Managing Director Gavin Smith said the cruise line is excited to be in the running for the prize.

“Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, so we are delighted to be recognised by Aussies for our amazing holidays,” he stated. 

“We’re looking forward to seeing our loyal guests again and welcoming more first-time cruisers than ever before.”

Melanie Golin, Managing Director of Taking Off Tours, a Melbourne-based Travellers Choice member, said her company is “humbled and honoured to have been nominated”.

“We pride ourselves on customer service and our expertise in ensuring our clients have a seamless journey,” she remarked.

“Being part of ATAS has made our customers feel safe knowing we are part of the industry’s only guarantee of a secure travel business.”

The full list of NTIA 2024 finalists is available here.