Finalist interviews for the 2026 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs) commence from 24 August, marking the second stage of judging for the majority of the NTIA Most Outstanding categories.
Finalists have already progressed through independent assessment of their written and video submissions, with university-level assessors scoring entries against defined criteria.
The next judging stage puts finalists in front of panels of experienced industry judges, where they will be assessed on the combined strength of their submission and live interview to determine who the NTIA winners will be.
The NTIAs are the most prestigious awards in the Australian travel industry, and the rigour of the judging process is central to the awards. With finalist interviews commencing, the second stage of judging will give finalists the chance to speak to their achievements before winners are determined.
NTIA recognition reflects demonstrated achievement, industry expertise and sustained excellence, giving finalists and winners a credential that carries genuine weight across Australia’s travel industry.
This year’s first-stage results mark a higher quality of submissions, with assessors reporting several categories separated by only fractions of a mark and significantly stronger use of evidence, measurable results and direct responses to the judging criteria.
Quotes attributable to Jenny Le, National Manager Events, ATIA:
“The standard of entries this year has been exceptionally high, but what matters most is that every finalist has had to demonstrate why they deserve to be there against the same published criteria.
“In a field this strong, the interview stage gives our industry judges the opportunity to test that case further. Finalists need to demonstrate not only what they achieved, but the thinking, leadership and impact behind those results.
“That rigour is important. An NTIA should be difficult to win because the recognition carries weight across the Australian travel industry.”
