A who’s who of the luxury travel industry has gathered in Brisbane for Flight Centre Travel Group’s (FCTG) Luxury Travel Collection (LTC) showcase and soiree. Karryon was there.
More than 350 luxury travel industry representatives have attended the LTC showcase – the largest luxury travel industry event of its kind in Australia.
This year’s event was LTC’s second major showcase since it launched in January 2024.
Part of Flight Centre Travel Group’s Luxury Leisure Travel Division, the invite-only member portfolio started with six members and now has 19.
Attendees included some of the biggest names in the travel industry: AmaWaterways Co-founder Gary Murphy; Adventure World MD Neil Rodgers; Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection VP and GM Seb Seward; The Superyacht Club GM APAC Asha Martin and Europ Assistance CEO Anna Gladman.
Speaking to Karryon at the event, Danielle Galloway, FCTG’s Global Managing Director of Luxury and Independent Brands, says the collection is already growing globally from a partnership perspective, and its focus is now to grow members globally too.
“We have an excellent foundation, and the reality is we have people lining up at the door not just in Australia, but excitedly in New Zealand, as well as the US and Canadian markets who have seen the Luxury Travel Collection. We look forward to expanding into these markets at the right time in the right way.”
Galloway says the collection’s biggest growth has been in the cruise sector.
“Cruise is one of our fastest growing sectors. We’ve had 50 percent growth and to see that formulated out of the collection is really pleasing, and we’re also seeing positive movement in touring and large growth in all of our key partners.”
LTC General Manager Nikki Glading says while they’re extremely proud of the growth so far, it’s not about expanding quickly, or becoming too large, but instead “maintaining the calibre and integrity of the community we’re creating”.
“We’ve had members who have experienced significant growth in their business because of the unique collaboration that they are exposed to with the way we bring the partner and the member together.”
Understanding the luxury traveller
Glading says understanding the luxury traveller is at the forefront of everything they do.
“While some advisors might be able to offer late check-out and breakfast, come to a LTC advisor and they can offer inclusions like a snorkelling safari in the Maldives or a seven-course degustation on a cliff edge restaurant, so what we’re doing is giving advisors the opportunity to stand out.”
Celebrating 2025
Glading says she wants partners to leave the event feeling like they were heard.
“We want partners feeling they have a strong audience of advisors who have taken the time to learn and understand about their products at an in-depth level.
“From an advisor perspective, it’s about perfecting their craft and it’s tricky to take the time out to create these partnerships, but this is only going to help them grow their business.”
Galloway says the event provides a great opportunity to get a new personal “gallery of luxury”.
“There’s an opportunity over two days to do that, but at the forefront is the connection and the power that exists to bring incredible industry leaders and combine that with the best of the best of luxury travel partners – you can’t beat it”.
For more information, visit The Luxury Travel Collection.
