Topdeck has launched a full rebrand and product overhaul, retiring its trademark 50-seater coaches in favour of a new model centred on small-group travel for Gen Z.
The Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) youth touring brand now offers one unified trip style across 38 itineraries, designed exclusively for 18–32-year-olds, with a maximum group size of 18 travellers. The redesign aims to reflect a shift in demand, with younger travellers seeking more intimate and socially connected experiences.
Why Topdeck has moved away from large coaches
Topdeck’s refresh is the result of 12 months of research, including workshops and surveys with more than 2,000 young Australians.
The findings revealed 68 per cent of respondents prefer to travel in groups of 20 people or fewer, while 64 per cent believe small-group travel is less stressful. Food and culture were also identified as major factors influencing travel choices.
“Large tour groups on 50-seater coaches have massively fallen out of favour among this cohort – young travellers want to feel like locals, not tourists,” said Anna Fawcett, General Manager APAC.
“This new chapter for Topdeck goes big by going small, offering more meals, more inclusions, more choice and more time to explore.”
Key features of the new itineraries
Topdeck’s refreshed portfolio, operating from April 2026, will offer:
- One trip style: Small-group tours capped at 18 people, for ages 18–32.
- Relaxed pace: Longer stays in key cities, with trips ranging from 7 to 47 days. Average trip length is 15 days.
- Authentic food experiences: Local meals included in every major destination.
- Flexible transport: A mix of trains, mini-coaches and local transport to maximise exploration time.
- Choice in accommodation: Multi-share rooms as standard, with upgrade options to double, twin or single rooms.
- No hidden extras: Bucket-list sights, guides, and authentic local experiences included upfront.
“Consultants can feel confident that Topdeck’s new trips are easy to explain, easy to sell, and absolutely aligned with what the next generation is asking for,” Fawcett said.
New look and feel for Topdeck
Alongside the new product direction, Topdeck has unveiled a refreshed visual identity. The rebrand introduces a sunshine yellow and canyon brown colour palette, bold typography, and a strapline: small group trips packed with more.
“The refreshed logo and brand identity bring our adventurous spirit into the now – modern, bold, and built for a generation that values both style and substance,” Fawcett said.
Implications for travel agents
The move signals a major pivot in the youth touring sector, with Topdeck stepping away from the mass-market coach touring model that defined its brand for decades.
Travel agents now have a sharper selling point for younger clients who increasingly seek authentic, social, and less crowded ways to travel.
With departures beginning in 2026, the change gives agents time to re-familiarise themselves with the brand and prepare tailored sales strategies for the new generation of travellers.
KARRYON UNPACKS: This is a major shift for one of the most recognised youth touring brands. Agents selling to Gen Z can lean on Topdeck’s small-group model as a key differentiator, with demand trends showing clear appetite for more intimate, authentic experiences.
