Journey Beyond is reshaping its leadership structure as the experiential tourism group gears up for major expansion, with the business set to more than double in size by the end of 2026.
The company has announced a new three-division model designed to streamline operations and sharpen accountability as demand for immersive Australian travel continues to grow.
At group level, Matt Cameron-Smith will take on the newly created role of chief commercial officer, overseeing commercial and revenue strategy across the portfolio. He previously served as CEO of Voyages Tourism Australia.
The Rail & Touring division will be led by David Donald, who has been promoted to managing director after six years heading the rail business. The portfolio includes flagship journeys The Ghan and Indian Pacific, alongside touring brands Outback Spirit and Grand Pacific Tours.
A second division, Resorts & Lodges, will bring together properties including Ayers Rock Resort, Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef and Monarto Safari Resort, alongside remote lodge operations. Recruitment is underway for a managing director to lead the division.
The third arm, Experiences & Attractions, will combine marine, aviation, entertainment and dining assets such as Cruise Whitsundays, Rottnest Express, Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures, Melbourne Skydeck and Journey Beyond Cruise Sydney. A leadership appointment is also in progress for this unit.
Journey Beyond says the changes are designed to support scale, strengthen leadership capability and align its expanding experiences business under a clearer structure.
“As Journey Beyond continues to grow and evolve, it is essential that our organisational model and leadership structure are designed to support the significant growth ahead,” Journey Beyond Group CEO Chris Tallent states.
“This new structure sees our individual brands and operations logically grouped into three aligned and larger business divisions to ensure we are focused on the areas that matter most for our long-term strategy.
“This transition supports more integrated, collaborative and best-practice ways of working and establishes a strong foundation for the further growth ahead for Journey Beyond.”
KARRYON UNPACKS: Journey Beyond’s restructure signals a big confidence play in Aussie experiential travel. For trade partners, clearer divisions could mean sharper product delivery and easier packaging as the network expands fast.
