26 July 2017: The people have spoken, and for the second year in a row they've chosen a Travellers Choice member.
Kingscote Travel's win of the coveted 'People's Choice ATAS Retail Travel Agency of the Year' category at this year's National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) is the second consecutive year a Travellers Choice member has been bestowed with the honour.
Last year's inaugural People's Choice award - a NTIA category uniquely decided exclusively by consumer votes - was won by long-time Travellers Choice member Queanbeyan City Travel & Cruise.
Travellers Choice Managing Director Christian Hunter says it is no coincidence the network's members have dominated the award category.
"Over the past two years Travellers Choice members have accounted for almost half of all People's Choice nominated agencies, which reflects the exceptionally strong connection our members enjoy with their local communities," says Hunter.
"That relationship is created and sustained by exceptional customer experience, but it is also facilitated by the support services Travellers Choice offers all of its members, particularly in the areas of local area marketing and digital promotions."
Kingscote Travel is based in Kingscote, the largest town on Kangaroo Island, which sits around 120km south-west of Adelaide. The town has a population of just under 1,800 people, and is also home to a colony of little penguins, the world's smallest penguin species.
Accepting the 'People's Choice ATAS Retail Travel Agency of the Year' award at the NTIA Gala Dinner - held this year at Sydney's new International Convention Centre - owner Evelyn Swayne told the audience of industry leaders she was "delighted and humbled".
"This award would not be possible without my wonderful staff and the support of the Travellers Choice network, of which I am proud to be a member," says Evelyn.
"But most of all I would like to thank all our amazing clients and all the people of Kangaroo Island. We are a close knit community and the relationship we have with our clients is special. My greatest reward comes from hearing their travel stories and helping them make their travel dreams come true."