NTIA 2023 to span two nights as Singapore Airlines recommits as Major Sponsor

Dean Long, AFTA with Greg McJarrow, Singapore Airlines.

Attendees at the 2023 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) will need to pack two party outfits instead of one, with AFTA today confirming a separate welcome event will precede the sector's annual 'night of nights'.

Specifics of the second event are yet to be revealed, however all NTIA attendees are being invited to begin their awards weekend in Melbourne on Friday 17 November ahead of the main event gala at Crown Palladium the following evening.

The announcement coincided with confirmation Singapore Airlines would return as the Major Sponsor of NTIA 2023.

Singapore Airlines is back as the 2023 NTIA Major Sponsor.

It’s the second year running for the multi-year partnership, however keen industry observers will remember Singapore Airlines also supported the NTIA Gala for several years prior to the pandemic.

The 2023 NTIA Gala will once again celebrate the recovery and thriving success of the Australian travel sector and what the industry’s businesses, and the sector overall now represent.

Singapore Airlines General Manager Agency Sales, Greg McJarrow said the airline's involvement was one way it can adequately acknowledge and say thanks for the hard work of every travel agent in driving the recovery of the sector, which has led it to add more flights and larger planes to its Australian operations.

"For us, [NTIA] is a really important event, important for people not only to get together but to celebrate the successes of the past year, both its people and its businesses," McJarrow said.

The NTIA Gala takes place in 2023 at Melbourne's Crown Palladium.

"We have a role to play as a carrier that has been flying here for 56 years. This for us is a natural continuation of our commitment to the [travel] industry and to our agency partners. We look forward to celebrating with everyone in November.

AFTA CEO Dean Long added his admiration for Singapore Airlines' unwavering commitment to supporting travel agents through the National Travel Industry Awards.

"This is a comprehensive strategic partnership between a critical carrier that serves Australia and continued to serve Australia during the pandemic, an airline which is committed to this country both in product, service and also frequency.

"NTIA is the crown jewel for the Australian travel industry in recognising excellence and to have a carrier at the same standards for NTIA, we're really excited about that."

The 2023 NTIA Gala will take place at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne on Saturday 18 November.