IMAGE: L-R: James Hewlett (Collette), winner Maria McCosker (Flight Centre) and Rick Pomery (Air Canada)
Star Alliance and the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) lit up this year’s AFTA National Travel Industry Awards by giving away eight inspirational journeys to NTIA guests on Saturday night.
L-R: Belinda Condon (United Airlines), winner Lillian Canedo (Princess Cruises) and Daniel Walker (Sno’n’Ski)
A unique number hidden within each Star Alliance-branded napkin holder at this year’s NTIA Gala Dinner – held on Saturday 20 July at Sydney’s International Convention Centre – put guests in the running for the spectacular prizes. Then, as each lucky number was selected, lights flashed across the Star Alliance network of 1300 destinations until the winning destination was revealed.
L-R: Brett Jardine (CATO representing World Expeditions), Jum Mu (Air China) and winner Matthew Hickey (italktravel & Cruise Blue Mountains)
Taking home the biggest prizes of the evening were:
Maria McCosker (Flight Centre) – return flights for two to the Big Apple flying Air Canada and a five-day Collette ‘Spotlight on New York Tour’
Kim Wethmar (TravelEdge) – return flights for two to Japan with EVA Air and five nights at Club Med Kabira Beach in Okinawa or Club Med Sahoro / Club Med Tomamu in Hokkaido
L-R: Pauline Leong (Thai Airways), winner Victor Araya (The Travel Authority) and Cameron Elliott (Peregrine Adventures)
Victor Araya (The Travel Authority) – return airfares for two to Phuket with Thai Airways and an eight-night Thai islands cruise for two with Peregrine Adventures travelling aboard the Panorama II
Nicole Hay (Show Group) – tickets for two to Buenos Aires flying Air New Zealand and a five-night journey through Argentina with Chimu Adventures
Marni Whittington (Travelcall Double Bay) – return airfares for two to South Africa with South African Airways and an eight-night safari with The Africa Safari Co.
L-R: Tony Soden (Club Med), Katrina Chen (EVA Air), winner Kim Wethmar (TravelEdge), Victor Hsiao (EVA Air) and Rachel Harding (Club Med)
Yvonne Shaw (Noosa Cruise & Travel) – return flights for two to Austria, Germany, Switzerland or Belgium courtesy of Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa Group, two eight-day Swiss Travel Passes and a $500 Expedia TAAP travel voucher
Lillian Canedo (Princess Cruises) – return flights for two to Aspen with United Airlines along with five nights’ accommodation at Capitol Peak Lodge, lift passes, ski rentals and airport transfers to and from Aspen Airport all courtesy of Snow’n’Ski
L-R: Kathryn Robertson (Air New Zealand), winner Nicole Hay (Show Group) and Sarah Baxter (Chimu Adventures)
Matthew Hickey (italktravel & Cruise Blue Mountains) – return Air China flights for two to Khatmandu and a 10-day Annapurna Trek with World Expeditions.
Star Alliance Country Steering Committee Chair, Jum Mu, congratulated this year’s winners and thanked the nine Star Alliance airlines and nine CATO members who combined to create such a glittering prize draw.
L-R: Julian Hall (South African Airways), winner Marni Whittington (Travelcall Double Bay) and Susie Potter (The Africa Safari Co.)
“By working together Star Alliance and CATO have once again helped fashion some inspirational journeys and contributed to a truly unforgettable awards evening.”
Star Alliance member carriers were also big winners on the night with Lufthansa German Airlines named ‘Best International Airline – Offline’ and Air New Zealand honoured as ‘Best International Airline – Online’.
L-R: Greg McJarrow (Singapore Airlines), Anil Rodricks (Lufthansa Group), winner Yvonne Shaw (Noosa Cruise & Travel) and Stu Udy (Expedia TAAP)
“The Star Alliance network is delighted that two of our leading members have been deservedly recognised and rewarded by their industry peers,” says Mu. “It is a wonderful achievement for two great airlines.”
The Star Alliance Team @ the 2019 NTIAs
