Travellers Choice Managing Director Christian Hunter tonight paid tribute to “150 of the most passionate and inspirational travel businesses you could ever meet” after accepting the retail travel sector’s ultimate accolade –'Best Agency Group' –at the 2019 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA).
Addressing Australia’s travel industry leaders at the NTIA Gala Dinner –held on Saturday 20 July at Sydney's International Convention Centre –Hunter also lauded Travellers Choice’s “amazing” management and staff.
“Our team might be small in number, but boy does it have talent,” he said. “Thank you for your continued efforts to support our members and provide them with an unrivalled customer experience.
“I’d also like to recognise our trade partners. We genuinely value the enduring connections and friendships we have developed over many years and we look forward to doing great things together into the future.
”Hunter dedicated the 2019 award to former Travellers Choice Managing Director Gary Allomes who passed away last month.
“Gary was passionate about the independent sector, which is clearly alive and well. He had the vision to transform a small Western Australian buying co-operative, called Community Travel into the group that we know and love today, and to receive this award so soon after his passing is extremely special.
”Travellers Choice was established in Perth in the mid 1970s on co-operative principles. From a small group of six specialist agencies it has grown into an innovative and award-winning national retail network boasting talented and professional members in every state and territory.
The company is owned entirely by its members, who as sole shareholders retain full control the group's strategic direction.