TravelManagers is celebrating this week that it has increased its number of finalists in the Australian Travel Awards from three last year to eight in 2010.

TravelManagers 2010 finalists include:
John Lengacher (Victoria) - Best Travel Consultant Africa
Tracy Cosgriff (Queensland) - Best Travel Consultant Asia
Aileen Collins (Queensland) - Best Travel Consultant Asia
Michelle Michael-Pecora (NSW) - Best Travel Consultant Cruise
Sue Kuti  (NSW) - Best Travel Consultant Adventure
Donna Shepherd (Queensland) - Best Travel Consultant Domestic
Donna Shepherd (Queensland) - Best Travel Consultant Rail
Di Yates (Victoria) - Best Travel Consultant North America

Of particular note is Donna Shepherd from Queensland who has been nominated as a finalist in two categories. Chief executive officer, Joe Araullo commented on how fantastic the result was.

"Motivated people are crucial to our business, we are after all in the service industry and personal travel managers stand for personalised service of the highest degree. To have this many finalists is truly a wonderful result, I'm rapt."

Mr Araullo was delighted to see so many Queensland personal travel managers being named as finalists.

"Our Queensland personal travel managers are really starring this year, it is brilliant to see this State so well represented. Special congratulations go to Donna and we wish all of our people the very best for the night."

Mr Araullo believes industry awards are vital as a way of recognising the standout players in the travel industry.

"There is no doubt the Australian Travel Awards are amongst the most prestigious and comprehensive award programs for travel consultants across the industry. It is a chance to highlight those travel consultants who have worked so tirelessly for their clients, become experts at selling and have immense product knowledge. Everyone loves to be acknowledged publicly for high standards, particularly when the award is recognised across the industry such as these ones."

The night culminates with the supreme award being the announcement of 'The Travel Agent of the Year Award 2010', who is selected from the winners of the category awards.

The winners will be announced at a formal gala awards ceremony on 25 March which is being held at Dockside, Cockle Bays Wharf in Sydney.