The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) has announced a new partnership with The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age Traveller which will see the publications become a significant media component of the National Travel Industry Awards program and further expand consumer connections with travel agents.
The partnership was celebrated today at the Champagne Bar in AccorHotels’ newly established five-star hotel, Sydney Sofitel Darling Harbour. The event was attended by special VIP guests including AFTA CEO Jayson Westbury and other Board members, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age senior staffer Philippa Walker, Head of Travel; Anthony Dennis, Traveller Editor; Trudi Jenkins, Publishing Director Food and Travel; Michael Grenenger, Group Director Luxury and Lifestyle, along with 2019 AFTA NTIA Sponsors.
“This partnership will turbocharge the consumer engagement strategy AFTA has embarked upon to raise awareness of ATAS-accredited travel agents and will bring the prestigious National Travel Industry Awards into mainstream consumer media. Through this partnership, readers of these Australian publications will be better informed about travel agents and the value of being recognised as the best in the various categories of the industry-led National Travel Industry Awards,” said Westbury.
“With this outstanding quality partnership, AFTA, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age Traveller will place the NTIA directly in the eyes of the consumer and we are delighted to be working together in this new partnership,” Westbury added.
“As Australia’s most awarded print and online travel title, Traveller is pleased to support AFTA in this initiative,” said Anthony Dennis, Traveller Editor.
“Traveller’s leadership in innovative and award-winning Australian travel journalism across multiple platforms makes it the perfect partner to raise consumer awareness about AFTA and its program. Its reach as an insert in both The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, and online nationally, means Traveller is the obvious choice as a media partner,” said Dennis added.
“We are privileged to partner with AFTA and the 2019 National Travel Industry Awards. The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age Traveller provide a credible platform for AFTA to engage Australia’s passionate travel consumers,” said Philippa Walker, Head of Travel at Fairfax Media.
“The partnership recognises our deep commitment to the travel industry and we look forward to highlighting the valuable work of AFTA to our audiences,” added Walker.
The 2019 AFTA NTIA Gala Dinner will be held on Saturday 20 July at the International Convention Centre, Sydney.