Some agencies throw a party for their 75th. This one’s throwing down a new name and charging into the next era. From 1 July 2025, Globetrotters Travel & Cruise becomes Global Travel Co, marking a bold reinvention for the Toowoomba agency that’s been sending Australians packing (in the best way) since 1949.
Founded as Darling Downs Travel Agency, the business opened its doors in post-war Australia and quickly established itself as a trusted regional name. Over the years, it evolved into Darling Downs Travel, then Globetrotters Travel & Cruise in the early 2000s.
Now, 75 years after its founding, the agency is making a shift that reflects its broader reach and forward focus.
“From handwritten airline tickets to the rise of online bookings and now AI planning tools, we’ve seen it all and evolved with every change,” said Director Ben Apsey.
The business has been part of the Travellers Choice network since 2007, combining national buying power with the personalised service of a local operator.
“Since joining Travellers Choice in 2007, we’ve been able to offer the best of both worlds: the personal touch of a local agency, with the buying power and connections of a multi-award-winning national network,” Apsey said.
Adapting through disruption
The COVID-19 pandemic tested even the most established travel businesses, but Globetrotters remained open throughout the international border closures.
Rather than scaling back, the team leaned into its role as a community hub, adding a coffee station to its Margaret Street office and maintaining regular contact with locals.
“Those years tested us, but they also reminded us who we are,” Apsey said.
“We’ve always been more than a booking service. We’re a community hub, a place where people come to dream, plan, and share their stories.”
The office has since expanded its offering to include luggage and travel accessories, making it a one-stop-shop for trip preparation.
What’s changing from 1 July 2025
- New trading name: Global Travel Co
- New phone number: 1300 747 511
- New website: www.globaltravelco.au
- Updated email addresses for all staff: @globaltravelco.au
What stays the same
- Current ownership and team
- All existing bookings and travel plans
- Toowoomba location and regional focus
The rebrand has already begun with changes to social media and in-office signage. All existing client arrangements will remain in place during and after the transition.
Keeping the Toowoomba spirit
Despite the name change, Apsey says the agency’s connection to its home base is stronger than ever.
With a loyal customer base, multiple NTIA finalist nods, and recognition in the Toowoomba Business Excellence Awards, the agency remains embedded in the local community.
“This is still your local travel agency, just with a name ready to go further,” he said.
“We’re proud of our past, and we’re building something even bigger. The name Global Travel Co isn’t just about where our clients go. It’s also about where we’re heading.”
KARRYON UNPACKS: A name change is more than cosmetic when it comes from a 75-year-old agency. For travel advisors, Global Travel Co signals a sharpened identity without losing the trust and continuity that define long-term client relationships. With community firmly at its centre, the agency’s evolution reflects a broader trend among independents: go bigger, but stay local.
